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icncml Sistoro of 8)mnne Uoimtn. 



CHAPTER I. 



IN THE BK(iIXNlN(! — Al!nl!l(;iXAI, KRA THE WARS E()R I'OSSESSION. 



1492 -1664. 



"In the beginning." 
ry^HE world wliicli gave birtli to tlic discovery of AiiHM'ica was lit- 



r 



orally an Old World. Its iiistory began with auci(nit time; its 
territories were bounded by the Sacred Records; its prophe+s and 
sages had foretold, under Divine Revelation, the coming of the Son 
OF Man; its kings had called their hosts to battle, traversed its plains 
and valleys and erected monnments oi' stone and of tiie lioncsof their 
victims; vice, in all the forms oi man's invention, had swept its tidal 
waves over its inhabitants; whatever of good had been evolved from 
the experiences of the human race, was written on its annals, — it 
was old in its civilization, in its theories, in all its history. It Avas 
not, therefore, a poetic fancy which gave to America the title of the 
New World. European civilization iiad not touched it; physically, 
its fields and foi'ests, its mountains and valleys, were yet 

"Wrapped iu :i inaiitlc, thick and black. 
That o'er its miglity frame had crept 
Since stars and angels sanir, and eiirth 
Shot, from its Makir, into Itirth." 

It was a world to be moulded and fashi(»n(M]; to be developed under 
the ins|)iration of new theories; to take its im]n'ess from men of 
thought and action bronglit togetiicr \>\ tlie art of printing; to be 
forever, — in its histoiy, in its discoveries, in its tiieories, in its poM- 
tics, in its inlluence upon the human race, — a New Woi'ld. 

For the change that awaited it the full time had not come wlien 
Columbus folded the sails of his siiallops, under the welcome cry of 
"Laud! Land!" which was echoed from tiie decks of the Pinta, on 
tiie evening of Septendu'r 25th, 1492. New thoughts were yet to 
be developed from the experiences of the old civilization before the 
records of tlie new could be opened. The freedom of man had not 
been born among tlie nations; religious intolerance had not reached 




6 GiJNJERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



its culminating point; the Word of God had not been unshackled. 
White-wing"ed messengers of the coming change hovered over the 
coast ; the Cabots discovered Newfoundland ; Verazzano explored, 
wtih his boat, the "most beautiful" bay of New York; Cartier pene- 
trated the Saint Lawrence. But Spain obtained from tlie Pope the 
sweeping edict that its sovereigns, should hold, as a gift in perpetu- 
ity, all the heathen lands found or to be discovered to the west of a 
meridian one hundred leagues westward from the Azores; enterprise 
was arrested; the nations became discordant, and the great heart of 
the New World waited under the influence of these, shall it be said 
natural causes, till a purer faith should recognize the hand of the 
Mighty One among the nations, and an unerring finger trace the pro- 
cesses of man's elevation. 

But the full time came. England denied the exclusive pretensions 
of Spain, in virtue of first visitiition, and of the Pope's donation, and 
affirmed the principle that discovery and prescription, unless accom- 
panied by possession, were of no avail. Speedily the bold naviga- 
tors of England, and France, and Holland, pressed their vessels more 
closely to the long stretches of sandy shore, more closely to the wood- 
ed hills and the open bays, more closely to the rocky blufis that for 
slumbering ages had known no music but the grand anthem of praise 
which the soa had rolled up to Him who had set its bounds. Swept 
onward by the spirit of discovery which had risen to the occasion 
demanding its office, the coast line was passed, and the bays and the 
rivers running to the sea yielded their secrets. The great barrier to 
progress was br^jken down; the New World was opened to the em- 
brace of people of all nations to be welded togetlier in the furnace 
of common interests. 

Interesting as is the study of the successive approaches of discov- 
ery, and the influences which alternately retarded or impelled its 
progress, philosophy pauses in the presence of the practical; and 
that which enables us to say, "On //lis day, or on this spot, some great 
discovery was made, some signal achievement was accomplished," 
or some monumental record was inscribed, commands the attention. 
More adventurous than many of his contemporaries, Henry Hudson, 
sailing under the flag of Holland, anchored his vessel, the Half Moon, 
in the bay which now constitutes the harbor of New York. Remain- 
ing there a week, on the morning of the 12th of September, 1609, he 
commenced the exploration of the river which now bears his name, 
and, on the morning of the 15th, sailed into what is now known as 
Newburgh bay. As he passed the giant hills that sentinel the north- 
ern portal of the Highlands, the sun came out and kissed with its 
beams the magnificent primal forests and awoke to life their gorgeous 



IN THE BEGINNING. 7 

autumnal hues. Before liim the river mirrored the rocky heights and 
the waving verdure; around him "the lethargy of uncivilized nature 
reigned in undisturbed solitude;" the wild game sprang from their 
familiar retreats startled by the sound of cannon and the inspiring 
peal of trumpets; the circling eddies from the vessel's prow bore 
with them to the adjacent shores the advent of the new era, and gave 
to them their part in the history of the discovery of the New World. 

After spending several days in the northern part of the river, he 
reached Newburgh bay, on his return voyage, on the afternoon of 
the 29 Lh of September, and again cast anchor, or as his Journal states, 
"turned down to the edge of the mountains, or the northermost of 
the mountains, and anchored; because the high lands hath many 
points, and a narrow channel, and hath many eddie winds. So we 
rode quietly all night." What a night was that ! Forcibly remarks 
Moulton: "If the morning scene was grand, how beautiful must have 
been that of the night. His was the tirst European A'essel which 
had been encompassed by the Highlands. 

'One still 
And solemn desert, in primeval garb, 
Hung round his lonely bark.' 

The departing sun rested in beauty upon the hills, and left the shad- 
ows of the mountains to deepen into the night, when the solemn 
gloom became interrupted only by the scream of the catamount, as it 
leaped from the forest to the jutting crag, glanced for a moment at 
the ship, as its port-lights glimmered on the waters, and then plunged 
into the thicket; or by the shrill screech (jf 'each wild throat, in this 
incumbrance of horrific woods.' And now the fiill-orbed moon rose 
from behind the mountains and opened to full view the grand ampi- 
Iheatre of hills. At their base lay the ship embosomed in a tremu- 
lous gleam of light, while the surrounding rocks glistened with the 
reflected moonbeams, or presented in traces of shade the cavern- 
gorges, whither the grim, gainit wolf hastened with stealtiiy tread, 
when, prowling along the bank, his glare first fell upon the alarming- 
wonder." Anon the forest was hushed and its tenants mute, and as 
the hours passed on, the mountain sides again sparkled with gems 
and dew-drops as the morning sun awoke the scene to life. 

The spectators of that wonderful scene were not confined to civil- 
ized men and beasts of prey. The New World had a people, if not 
a civilization, — a people with laws and customs the most perfect 
type of democracy, into whose hands possession had been given by 
the Creator; a people dressed in costumes of feathers and furs, arm- 
ed with rude weapons, uttering a strange language, worshiping a 
strange God. They were not strangers to Hudson in the sense that 



8 



GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



tlieir existence was not knowM, for their name had reached Europe 
throiig-li the earlier voyag-ers; nor perhaps to many of them were 
those wlio now visited them in their own waters entirely unknown, 
fur on their coast the P]uropeans had been seen; long years before, 
the adventurous Verazzano had surveyed a j)ortion of their domin- 
ions; l)ut never before^ had the then living- gi'Uc^ration stood face to 
face with people of the Old World. The young were filled with 
wonder, the old with awe. 'J'he signals of a change, they kn(»w not 
what, floated before them. 

With this people Hiidson's experiences were varied. VVhei'ever he 
cast anchor they visited his ship with presents, and maniiested in 
many tonus their desire to render acts of kindness. More hospita- 
ble men and women never lived, — all that they had was at the ser- 
vice of tlieir visitant. Constant was their intercourse, — increasing 
tlieir gifts; but in many cases their kindness was mistaken, and their 
confidence abused. Below the Highlands, Hudson confined two of 
them, intending to take them to Holland; but when the opi)ortunity 
came they escaped, and called from the shore to their captor in scorn. 
At the Ivatskills he met loving- people and old men, from whom he 




received ofilerings and ti> whom he gave brandy. When in Newbnrgh 
hay (Sept. 30), he says "the pcojde of the country c;ime aboard us, 
and brought some small skins with them, which we bought for knives 
and triMes. At tiiree o'clock they departed." On the 1st of October, 



ABOniGINAL ERA. 



when achured ofi' Stony Point, "the people of the mountains" 
visited him, " wondering- at the ship and weapons." They, too, sold 
skins for tritles. In the afternoon a canoe "kept hanging under the 
cabin windows," and its occupant was detected pilfering. He had 
taken a "pillow, and two shirts and two bandaliers," when tiie 
"mate shot him, and struck him in the breast and killed him." His 
companions were umch frightened, and fled away, some in their ca- 
noes, others jumping into the water. A boat was lowered to recover 
the stolen articlet?, when one who was in the water seized hold uf it, 
" thinking to overthrow it," but " the cook seized a sword and cut ofl' 
one of his hands, and he was drowned." When Hudson reached the 
place where he had betrayed the young men, when going up the river, 
lie was shot at with bows and arrows, to which he replied with six 
muskets " killing iwo of them." " Yet they manned olf another canoe 
with nine or ten men." A falcon shot was sent through it and one of 
its occupants killed, while the sailors with their muskets " killed 
three or four more." From this contlict he sailed for Europe, bearing 
with him not only his surveys, but an epitome of tlie future inter- 
course of the people of the Old World with those of the -New. The 
conHict of the opposing civilizations had been joined. 

But the struggle was delayed. Meanwhile Dutch navigators divi- 
ded the river into reaches and gave names to them, as well as to the 
people with whom they traded, and planted their outposts of posses- 
sion. This crude geography and its nomenclature was gatiiered up 
by the Dutch historians and embodied in papers for the intbrmation of 
those desiring to embark in trade in the New World or to emigrate 
thither. In a paper written by DeLaet, who has been called the first 
historian of New York, it is said: " Within the first reach, on the west 
bank of the river, where the land is low, dwell the Tapijans. The sec- 
ond reach of the river extends upward to a narrow part named by our 
people Haverstroo," at which place the natives were called Haverstroos. 
They were the chieftaincy some of the members of which sought to 
pilfer from the cabin windows of Hudson's ship on the afternoon 
of October 1st,— were the " people of the mountains." From Stony 
Point h) the Dans-Kammer were the Waoraiiecks, " the people of 
the country" who sold the "small skins" to Hudson on the 30th of 
September, and who were subsequently known as " the Murderer's i 
Creek Indians." Their castle was on the north spur of Schunemunk ' 
mountain, and their place of worship the Dans-Kammer. Above them 
were the Warranawonkonga, subsequently known as " the Esopus In- 
dians," whose hunting grounds extended through the valley of the 
Wallkill. West of the Warranawonkongs, and occupying the country 
drained by the Delaware and its tributaries, were the Minsis or Min- 



10 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



nisinks. Those who are familiur with the topography of the district 
will require no more precise designation of the territory occupied by 
these native tribes or clans than its water-sheds afford; but it may be 
added that the designation given is essentially contirmed by the deeds 
which the aboriginal lords executed for the lands which they sold; and 
it may also be stated in this connection, that the names by which these 
tribes were known were not those which they had given as belong- 
ing to themselves, but were those which they had given to the Dutch 
as the names of the streams on which they lived. The Warranawon- 
kotig was the Wallkill;* the Waorannck, the Murderer's Creek. 

Later, the tribal and national organizations of this people appear- 
ed. It would be no violation of fact to say that their political con- 
stitution was similar to our own. They had villages or towns, 
counties or enlarged cantons, tribes or states, nations or united 
tribes. Each in its sphere was independent, yet the whole strongly 
and firmly bound together. The sub-tribes or villages south of Stony 
Point were Unulactos, or the Turkey tribe; those north, were Minais, 
or the Wolf tribe, with territorial jurisdiction extending through the 
Miunisink country of Pennsylvania and New Jersey; south of the 
Minsis they were Unainia, or the Turtle tribe, f The tribes named 
constituted the Lenui-Lenape naticm, wiiich held its council-fire at 
what is now Philadelphia. Prom the Unamis was selected invariably, 
by the ruling chiefs of the other tribes, the King or Sagamore of the 
nation; a King both with and without power; a sovereign whose 
rule was perpetuated only through the love of his people; a monarch 
the most polisiied, the most liberal, the poorest of his race; one who 
ruled by permission, who received no salary, who was not permitted 
to own the cabin in which he lived or the laud he cultivated, who 
could receive no presents that did not become the property of the 
nation, yet whose larder and treasure chest were never empty. 

To treat the history of the Lenapes at length would require several 
volumes. Briefly stated, they were the head of the Algonquin nations 
at the time of the discovery, but by a succession of wars with the 
Dutch, the English, and the Iroquois, were compelled, sometime about 
1670, to yield to the latter and become a "nation of women" — i. e. a 
nation without power to make war or peace on their own account, or 
to sell or convey lands. In this condition they remained until 1755, 
(having, in the meantime, become generally known as the Delaware^); 
when they threw off the yoke of subjugation, and, under alliaivees 



* No documentary evidence is claimed. The statement is on the authority of exam- 
ples in multiplied instances. The word Esopus, by which the cUstrict was subsequently 
known, is a corruption of Seepu, an Algonquin generic term for river. 

t Tribal organizations were known by the Totems or emblems which they painted upon 
their cabins, their persons, etc., as the Turkey, the Wolf, the Turtle. 



THE WABS FOR POSSESSION. H 



with the Shawanoes, Mingoes, etc., were enabled to place themselves 
at the head of the western nations, and contest every inch of soil 
east of the Mississippi. 

But while these facts were being ascertained, — years before many 
of them were known, — tliere came the hurrying to and fro of armed 
men, and the terribly echoing battle-cry of the woodland lords, " Woach, 
Woach, Ha, Ha, Hack, Woach .' " with which the settlers subsequently 
became familiar. The Dutch began their settlement at New Amster- 
dam (now New York) in 1626. A few years later, settlements were 
commenced at Paulus' Hook (now Jersey City), then called Pavonia, 
and at Breucklen, now the city of Brooklyn, and a few small neigh- 
borhoods were scattered along the river north of Paulus' Hook. 
These settlements brought with them frictions of opposing customs. 
In 1640, it is said, the Indians began to steal and destroy the cattle 
of the settlers; but the Indians claimed that the cattle of their neigh- 
bors, permitted to roam at large, destroyed their unfenced fields of 
corn, and that they killed them having no other remedy. Pending 
these complaints came an order from Director Kieft, demanding trib- 
ute of corn, furs, etc., " from the Indians in the neighborhood of Fort 
Amsterdam." The latter remonstrated, but Kieft insisted, and sent 
a sloop up to the Tappans to exact compliance, but without success. 
About this time from a plantation on Staten Island a number of pigs 
were taken by a company of Dutch sailors; but the Indians were 
credited with the wrong, and a number of them were killed. Their 
tribe retaliated, burned a plantation and killed four of its occupants. 
Kieft wished to declare a war of extermination, but was restrained 
by his Council, who preferred to wait until " God and the opportuni- 
ty " should favor them in their wrongful slaughter. 

The opportunity was not long delayed. In the winter of 1643, a 
company of Mahicana^ from Fort Orange, "each with a musket on 
his shoulder," came down to collect tribute from the Weckquaesgecks 
of Westchester. The latter suffered terribly. Several were killed, 
and many men, women and children fled to Fort Amsterdam for safe- 
ty. At Pavonia large numbers of them collected, and also at Cor- 
lear's Hook. Utterly defenceless as they were, Kieft determined to 
add to their misfortunes. On the night of the 25th of February, by 
his direction, his soldiers fell upon the homeless, trusting red men 
and killed eighty of them. " Neither age nor sex were spared. 
Warrior and squaw, sachem and child, mother and babe, were alike 
massacred. Daybreak scarcely ended the furious slaughter. Man- 



* The documentary proof is clear that this incursion was by the Mahicmis, not the 
Mohmvks, as stated by some histoi-ians. The lower eastern Hudson chieftaincies (the 
old Manhattans, etc.) were conquered tribes and had probably neglected to pay the 
annual tribute due to the Mahicans. 



12 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



gled victims, seeking safety in tlie thickets, were driven into the 
river; and parents, rushing to save their children whom the soldiers 
had thrown into the stream, were driven back into the waters, and 
drowned before the eyes of their unrelenting murderers." 

But this horrible scene had scarcely faded from the air, ere the 
hand of revenge was made red with the blood of the Dutch. Kieft, 
in his exultation, sent out foraging expeditions to collect corn. One 
of these expeditions seized two wagon loads of maize from the Long 
Island Indians, who lost three of their number in endeavoring to 
save their property. In retaliation the Long Island tribes made 
conmion cause with the Weck-qtiaesgecks< and other river cantons, who 
had now learned that the Dutch, and not the 3Iahicans, had been the 
principals in the massacre at Pavonia. Eleven chieftaincies rose in 
open war. The farmer was killed in the field, and women and chil- 
dren swept off into captivity. A temporary peace .ij^ass secured in the 
spring, but in September came a renewal of hostilities, and the Dutch 
were driven from every foot-hold outside of Fort Amsterdam. The 
war-whoop of the Minds rang along the Highlands, and through the 
wilds of Long Island and New Jersey, and was taken up by the out- 
lying clans of Mahicana, and at a single blow, from the Highlands of 
Neversink to the hills and valleys of the Tappam, the whole country 
was once more in the possession of its aboriginal proprietors. The 
Dutch colonists who escaped slaughter, fled to Fort Amsterdam, and 
terror kept watch with them for days. Sending to New England for 
succor, it came in the person of Capt. Underbill, a man more savage 
than the savages. His coming roused the courage of the Dutch and 
they sallied out and turned the tide of war. Large numbers of Indians 
on the east side of the Hudson were killed— at Stamford, Connecticut, 
from five to seven hundred were slaughtered. 

Again came temporary peace in the spring — the Indians desiring 
to plant; but war, with disaster to the Dutch, was renewed in the 
winter. Kieft now adopted a new course. He went to Fort Orange 
(now Albany) and secured the intercession of the Mohawks and Mahi- 
cavs, with whom the Dutch there were in alliance, and on the 30th of 
August, 1»645, through their influence, a treaty of peace was concluded. 
The chiefs of the Hackinsucks and Tajypans, delegates from the Long 
Island tribes, and a Mahican chief who spoke for his own people on the 
easterTi bank of the river, met the Dutch, and the Mohawks actcid as 
arbitrators. Tlie terms were arranged and peace restored. 

Ten years of quiet were now enjoyed by the settlers, but during 
that period the Indians suffered many wrongs which they brooded 
over and burned to avenge. The excuse for a fresh appeal to arms 
occurred in the autumn of 1655. A squaw, detected in stealing 



THE WARS FOR POSSESSION. 13 



peaches from tlie garden of Van Dyck, at New Amsterdam, had been 
killed by him, and her tribe, the Weckquaesgeck.'<, determined to 
avenge lier death. To make their determination more eifectnal, they 
appealed to a war party of their friends, then on an expedition, to 
aid them. Learning that Director Stuyvesant, who, in the meantime 
liad succeeded Kieft, was absent on a visit to South River, some 
eight hundred armed men suddenly appeared before Fort Amsterdam 
in sixty-four canoes. Landing before the break of day, they scattered 
through the streets and, under the pretence of looking for their ene- 
mies, broke open several houses. The Council and the leading inhab- 
itants immediately assembled at tlie Fort, called the chiefs before 
them and exacted a promise that they would leave the towrj at sun- 
set, but l)efore the hour came they fouifd Van Dyck and left him dead, 
as they supposed. This act aroused the town, and the burger guard 
rallying out from the Fort attacked the Lidians as they were embark- 
ing in their canoes. This appeal to force was regarded by them as 
a declaration of war, and they resolved to strike while they had 
the opportunity. Passing over to the Jersey shore, they laid waste 
Hoboken and Pavonia, and killed or captured most of the inhabitants. 
In three days "one hundred of the settlers were killed, one hundred 
and fifty made prisoners, and three hundred more ruined in estate." 

Again the settlers fled to Fort Amsterdam as to a city of refuge. 
Director Stuvvesant was sent for, and shortlv after arrived witli liis 
soldiers. Meanwhile the Lidians had retreated with their captives — 
a portion to New Jersey and the remainder to the Highlands. The 
Hactms^acks soon after oflered their prisoners for ransom, and nego-, 
tiations being opened peace was concluded with them. 

The scene was now changed to the Esopus country, with the Warra- 
naioo7ikongs as principals. Hitherto difficulties had been confined to 
the vicinity of Fort Amsterdam, for the very obvious reason that the 
Dutch had not extended their settlements north of Hackinsack. Li 
the district between Fort Orange and Fort Amsterdam, the Lidians 
had been mainly visited by traders in sloops, although it is said that 
on Kingstt)n point a Dutch trading post was established as early as 
1617. Occupation of the Esopus country by permanent settlers, 
however, was first begun in 1652, when Thomas Chambers and some 
of his neighbors removed thither from Rensselaerwyck. With these 
settlers the Indians soon came in collision, and during the war of 
1655, th<^ former abandoned their plantations. In 1656, they returned 
and continued for some time unmolested, but, as in other places, they 
soon devoted the largest portion of their time and means to the pur- 
poses of trade, and, with a view to secure the largest amount of 
furs, imprudently made free with the sale of brandy and other liquors, 



14 OENEBAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



under the iiiHueiice of which the Indians became troublesome and re- 
sorted to violence. " One of the settlers was killed, the house and 
outbuildings of another were burned, and the settlers were forced, by 
threats of arson and murder, to plow up the patches where the sava- 
ges planted their maize." Tlie settlers wrote to Stuyvesant, who re- 
sponded by innnediately visiting the scene of disturbance with fifty 
of his soldiers, and, the day following his arrival (May 31, 1657), 
called the people together for council. The result of this conference 
was the establishment of a stockade village for defensive purposes, 
and an interview with the Indians. The latter was h(>ld in an open 
field. The chiefs denied that the murder which liad been connnitted 
was by one of their number, but " by a Minnisink " who was then 
" skulking among the Haverstraws," and charged that the whole of 
the disturbance arose from the "drink" which had been sold them by 
the Dutch. They also recounted the losses which had been inflicted 
upon them in Director Kieft's time (1G45). Stuyvesant replied that 
the acts of his predecessor in the massacre of Pavonia, had been 
settled in the subsequent treaties, and if they had not. that he was 
not responsible for them; that no violence had been connnitted by 
the Dutch since he came to the Province; that the Indians had not 
consulted him in the treatment of Van Dyck, and altogether made 
out quiet a case against them, concluding therefrom that tlie latter 
should sell to him the whole of the Esopus land, " and remove furtlier 
into the interior." The Indians asked time to consider the matter, 
and on the 4tli of June returned with their answer. They would 
give the Director the land he asked "to grease his feet, as he had 
taken so long and painful a journey to visit them." * The stockade 
was soon completed, and the Director returned to Fort Amsterdam. 
The Indians, however, were far from being satisfied with the new 
order of things, and in ct)mmon with other tribes, were ready, on 
even slight provocation, to commence war. Unfortunately it Avas no 
slight cause which led them to take up the hatchet in 1659. Thonuis 
Chambers, of whom we have already spoken, in September of that 
year, employed several of them to liusk corn, " and at the end of 
their day's work gave them some brandy for which they asked." A 
carouse followed, in the midst of which a party of settlers issued 
from the village and assailed the unsuspecting red men, killed two 
of their numbin-, 'and wounded the third who escaped. This dast- 
ardly act provoked a terrible retaliation. War was again declared; 
"houses, barns, and harvests were burned up; cattle and horses were 



* The land conveved was called AtkarK-arton, or the Great Plot. It has been assumed 
that an Indian village was located there from the fact that the Dutch called their settle- 
ment " \N'iltwyck." "or Indian village. We conclude, however, that the Indian \ illage was 
that kno^\'n as " Wiltmeet," about two miles west from Aikarkarton. 



THE WARS FOR POSSESSION. 15 



kilh^l." Four or five hundred savages invested the stockaded village, 
and after vainly attempting to set fire to it, avenged themselves by 
burning at the stake eight or ten prisoners whom they had taken. A 
courier was immediately sent to Fort Amsterdam for assistance, and 
anotlun- to Fort Orange asking the intercession of the Mohan-la^ and 
Mahicans. Stuyvesant hurried to the scene with about one hundred 
m(!n, and the Mohawla^ and MahicanH sent down five of their number 
to act as intercessors. The latter visited the Warranawonkovg chiefs, 
procure(l th(^ release of two ])risoiieis, and persuaded the sachems to 
a truce, — an agreement to peace they could not obtain. 

The war was renewed in the spring of 1660. Ensign Smith made 
frequent incursions into the interior, and, on the I8th March, reduced 
the palisaded village of WiltmcH* and took twelve prisoners. Subse- 
quently the place was again visited, an encampment which had been 
lorined there broken up, and /'reummalcer, "the oldest and best " of 
the Esopus chiefs, killecl. The Indians y)etitioned for peace in June, 
and Stuyvesant went up to Esopus to meet them. He Arrived on the 
11th of July and found delegates from the Mohaivl'i<, Wappingen^, and 
other tribes to assist in the negotiations; but the WarranaionnkongH 
were not represented. Messengers were sent to the interior to induce 
their attendance, and on the 15th, four sachems arrived, a grand 
council of all the inlial)itants was held, and terms of peace arranged. 
In compensation for damages, the Indians conveyed "all the lands of 
Esopus" to the Dutch, and th<> latter paid ransoms in corn for the 
captives in the hands of the Indians. But the captive Indians from 
Wiltmeet were not restored; l)y Stuyvesant's order they had been 
sent to Curacoa as slaves. 

Scarcely had "the WarranmvurjJcongs agreed to this treaty before new 
causes of grievance were found. They held that the Dutch had com- 
menced their New Village on land which had not been given to them; 
that the New Fort, as they called the Ronduit,f boded them no good; 
that if their white neighbors w(;re sincere in their professions of friend- 
ship, they would restore to them their enslaved kindred. To quiet 
them, Stuyvesant promised to visit them and bring them the presents 
demanded by their customs, but this promise he failed to keep. He 
renewed this promise in June (1663); but without faith in him and, 
regarding the offer as only a delay for a more favorable opportunity 
to make war upon them, they attacked the settlement on the 1th. On 
the morning of that day, the settlers went forth to their fields as 
usual. About noon, bands of Indians entered the gates of both villa- 



* Situated some distance above the second fall (or creek) flowing into Kit Davit's Kill 
(now called the Esopus creek), "about nine miles from the Hudson." — Brodhead. 

t This Ronduit or Eedoubt was on the bluff of land called Ponckockie, and is perpet- 
uated in the name of Rondout. 



16 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



ges, and scattered themselves among the houses, ostensibly for the 
purposes of trade Suddenly they attacked the New Village and de- 
stroyed it at a blow. "Some people on horseback escaped" and 
reached the Old Village, but their arrival was the signal of attack 
upon the latter, for scarce had the alarm been given when the Indians 
uttered their war-whoop and commenced the work of death. "The 
people were murdered in their houses with axes and tomahawks, and 
by firiiig on them with guns and pistols." Women and children were 
seized and carried off prisoners; houses were plundered, and men, 
rushing to the defence of their families, were shot down by foes con- 
cealed in their own dwellings. To aid in the work of destruction, 
the Indians set fire to the village on the windward side. The flames 
spread rapidly, but when at their height, the wind suddenly changed 
to the west and prevented further devastation. The panic occasioned 
by the sudden attack having subsided, the settlers rallied and drove 
the Indians out. By evening all was still again and the bereaved in- 
habitants kept mournful watch during the night. TM^Mity-ono lives 
were lost, nine were wounded, and forty-five carried off captive; the 
New Village was annihilated, and at tlie Old Village twelve houses 
were burned.* 

Immediately on the receipt of tlie intelligence of this disaster, 
Stuyvesant dispatched Col. Martin Kregier with a company of sol- 
diers to assist the settlers. Kreiger arrived at the Ronduit on the 
4th of -luly. In a few days five Mohatok and Mahican chiefs arrived 
from Fort Orange, and by their mediation some of the Dutch cap- 
tives were released; but the Warranawonkongs would not listen to 
propositions for peace unless the Dutch would pay "for the land 
named the Great Plot," and reward them with presents within ten 
days. The Dutch commander replied by sending out scouting par- 
ties, who succeeded in bringing in a few prisoners from whom it was 
learned that the Indians had retreated to their castle; and thither it 
was determined to follow them. The expedition reached its destina- 
tion on the evening of the 26th of July. The castlef was a formida- 
ble structure. It was "defended by three rows of palisades, and the 
houses in the fort encircled by thick cleft palisades with port holes in 
them, and covered with bark of trees;" in form it was quadrangular, 
but tlie angles were " constructed l)etween the first and second rows 
of palisades" — the third row of palisades standing "full eight feel; 



* The New Village was about three miles fi-om the Old Village and the Ronduit about 
the same distance. Both villages are territorially included in tlao bounds of the present 
city of Kingston. 

t The location of this fort, or palisaded village, is defined in the boundary lines of 
lands conveyed by the treaty of 1665: " L^-inq: and being to the west and south-west of a 
certain creek or river called by the name of Kahanksen, and bo up to the head thereof 
where the Old Fort was." 



THE WARS FOR POSSESSION. 17 



off from the others towards the interior," the whole being " on the 
brow of the hill" surrounded by table land. But the object of the 
expedition was not accomplished. Warned of the approach of their 
enemy, the Indians retreated to the Shawangunk mountains and took 
their captives with them. From a captured squaw it was learned 
that the Indians were some four miles distant, and a force was sent 
thither; but when they arrived at the designated place, it was found 
that they had again retreated. Kregier, however, destroyed the 
Kahanksen castle by fire, cut down the corn-fields which the In- 
dians had planted, and destroyed " about a hundred pits full of corn 
and beans," which liad been preserved from the crop of the previous 
year. This work accomplished, he returned to Wiltwyck.* 

The settlers now engaged in harvesting their grain, and the sol- 
diers guarded them while at work. Offensive operations were not re- 
sumed until September, when a force of fifty men was sent out to 
reduce a new castle which the Indians were said to be erecting, situ- 
ated "about four hours farthor than their first fort," wliieli liad been 
burned. Tiie expediti(ui reached its destination on llic 5th of Sep- 
tember. The Indians wert; taken by surprise, but made a stout re- 
sistance. They were busy completing their fort, and had left their 
arms at their liouses " about a stone's throw from the fort." Alarmed 
by a squaw, who had discovered the approach of the Dutch, they 
rushed to secure their arms, but were only partially successful so 
closely were tliey pursued. Retreating across the kill, tlicy threw 
l)ack the T)utch fire with such spirit that it was found necessary to 
send a strong party to dislodge them. " In this attack the Indians 
lost their chief Fapequanaehan, fourteen warriors, four women and 
three children." On the part of the Dutch three were killed and 
wounded. Thirteen Indians were taken prisoners, and twenty-three 
Dutch captives released. The Dutch found plunder sufficient to 
" well fill a sloop," but were obliged to leave it. Everything was de- 
stroyed that could be. "The fort was a perfect square with one row 
of palisades set all around, being about fifteen feet above and three 
feet below ground," but it was not completed. Two angles of 
" stout palisades, all of them about as thick as a man's body, having 
two rows of port-holes, one above the other," were done, and, when 
surprised, the Indians "were busy at the other angle." The victori- 
ous expedition returned to the settlement laden with spoil, and the 
Indians fled to the mountains to brood over their defeat and loss. 

On the Ist of October, another expedition was sent out on the 
same route and arrived at the fort last destroyed on the 2d. The In- 



* By a formal charter of date May 1(5, 1661, the settlement was ordered to be called 
■ Wiltwyck," or Indian Village. Tlie English changed the name to Kingston. 



18 GENERAL HIS TOBY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



dians had meanwhile returned to it and thrown the bodies of their 
dead comrades into five pits, from wliich "the wolves had rooted up 
and devoured some of them. Lower down on tlie kill four other pits 
were found containing bodies; and further on, three Indians with a 
squaw and child lay unburied and almost wholly devo.ured by wolves." 
A terrible picture of desolation was spread out on either hand, where, 
but a few days before, the native lord had exulted in his strength, 
but wlio now, crushed and broken, had retreated southward among 
their kindred Minsis. The Dutch forces completed the destruction of 
the fort; the palisades were pulled down, the wigwams burned, and 
all the corn cut up and cast into the kill. 

The Warranawonkongs, upon wliom this chastisement had principal- 
ly fallen, solicited peace in the fall, and an armistice was granted. 
They had suffered severely; their villages, from Wawayanda to Eso- 
pus were not without moui-ners; their store-houses were rifled, and 
their crops destroyed. Nor were their allies, the Waoranecks, more 
fortunate. Although their territory had not been invaded, nor their 
villages burned, they were not the less subdued; the embers of their 
forest worship, which had for ages been lighted on the Dans-Kammer, 
were extinguished forever. In the spring following, Sewackenamo, in 
conference at Fort Amsterdam, lifted up his voice in prayer to his God 
— Bachtamo — that ''something good" might be concluded with the 
Dutch, and there executed a treaty by the terms of wliich all that 
had passed was to be forgiven and forgotten; the lands claimed by 
the Dutch, and now conquered by the sword, were to remain the 
property of the conquerors, and the vanquished were not to approach 
the Dutch settlements with arms. This treaty was ratified (Maj^ 16, 
1664,) amid the roar of cannon, and was celebrated by a public 
thanksgiving. With its conclusion was also closed the struggle of 
the aboriginal clans for the possession of their ancient seats on the 
western slope of the valley of the Hudson. Their retreating foot- 
steps were yet to -be marked on advancing frontiers by blazing torch 
and branding tomahawk; but from the blue hills of Katskill to the 
southern verge of the Highlands they only awaited the granting of 
title deeds to their successors. The fertile fields of those who, a half 
century before, had gazed in awe upon the sleeping navigator's ship 
beside the " northernmost of the mountains," were prepared for the 
sturdy immigrants from Europe. 



LAND TITLES-FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 19 



CHAPTER II. 

ABORIGINAL DEEDS — -LAND PATENTS — FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 

1664—1709. 



THE Eng-livsh succeeded the Dutch in the g-overnment of New Neth- 
evland on the 6th of September, 1664. The latter had performed 
the task assigned to them; had introduced the religion, the jurispru- 
dence, the customs of the Fatherland; had prepared the way for the 
mingling of creeds and races, and the development of the principles 
of civil liberty. A stronger hand was now to take the direction; a 
common flag to float from the rugged cliflFs of the north to the savan- 
nas of the south; a fresh impulse to be given to immigration. The 
title of the province was changed; New Amsterdam became New 
York; Fort Orange was christened Albany; changes were made in 
the administration of the government; treaties were renewed with 
the Indians. When this work was accomplished. Governor Nicolls 
wrote: "The lands which I intend shall be first planted, are those 
upon the west side of Hudson's river, at or adjoining to the Sopes;" 
and having, in his treaty with the Warranawovkongs, secured a clear 
definition of the bounds of the tract which the Dutch had previously 
" conquered by the sword," he added: " The Governor hath purchased 
all the Sopes land, which is now readj^ for planters to put the plow 
into, it being clear ground." The declaration was not a literal fact; 
the tract which the Indians had been compelled to yield embraced 
scarce three townships; but practically there was no substantial im- 
pediment to the occupation of the territory designated. 

While this preparation was going forward, in the Old World relig- 
ious intolerance was scattering its victims broadcast. France sent 
forth her thrifty Huguenots; Scotland, her implacable Presbyterians; 
the Palatinate, her impoverished husbandmen. On the banks of the 
Hudson fragments rent from these nationalities met, and carved out, 
in the forest depths, new homes. The " Christian patented lands of 
Haverstraw," as they are termed in tlie records, were the first to re- 
ceive immigrants under the new regime. Balthazer de Hart and his 
brother Jacob, among the earlier immigrants from Holland, had loca- 
ted in New Amsterdam, and there subscribed their names to the oath 
of allegiance to the Duke of York. The former, engaged in trade, 

02 



20 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



had secured a comfortable subsistence, his house being rated at two 
thousand florins. Prior to July 31, 1666, he had purchased from the 
Indians, " all that tract of land lying on the west side of Hudson's 
river called Haverstraw, being on the north side of the hills called 
Verdrietig hook, on the south side of the Highlands, on the east side 
of the mountains so that the same is bounded by Hudson's river 
and round about by the high mountains." Presuming that the tract 
was included in the boundaries of New Jersey, he obtained from Car- 
teret and the council of that province, a patent,* and transferred his 
interest to Nicholas Depuy and Peter Jacobs Marius. On subsequent 
purchase and patent he acquired (April 10, 1671,) the "parcels of 
land called by the Indian names of Newai<:inL, Yandakah, Caquaney 
and Aquaonak, bounded on the west by a creek called Mcni>iakcungue, 
on the east and north by Hudson's river, and on the south by the 
mountains," which became the property of his brother, Jacob; and 
also a tract "known by the name of Ahequerenoy," which, with a 
portion of the previous purchase, came to the possession of Hendrick 
Ryker, — the whole becoming the basis of the boundaries ol' all sub- 
sequent grants in the district. 

The second settlement was un the extreme north of the district the 
history of which we are considering. Louis DuBois, a Hiiguenot 
pioneer, driven thither by the pending persecutions of the people of 
his faith in France, located, with some of liis friends, at Esopus in 
1660. Contributing the captivity of his wife and children to the In- 
dian war of 1663, he siibsequently induced several families of his 
countrymen, who were more recent innnigrants, to unite with him in 
establishing a French town. Twelve men, known as the "Twelve 
Patentees," w(U-e selected to obtain title to lands, who, after an ex- 
amination of the country, jiurchased from the Indian proprietors 
(May 26, 1677,) a tract of 36,000 acres, lying immediately south of 
the " Redoute creek," as the Warranawonkovg came to be called. 
On the 29th of September, following, a patent was obtained from 
Governor Andros, in the name of " Louis du Bois and his partners, 
that is. Christian Doyau, Abraham Hasbroucq, Andre le Febvre, 
Jean Hasbroucq, Pierre Doyau, Louis Beviere, Anthoine Crespel, 
Abraham du Bois, Hugue Frere, Isaac du Bois, and Simon le Febvre, 
their heirs and others," — men whose names live in the annals of their 
adopted country. On this patent nine families immediately settled, and 
laid, in the faith which they professed, the foundations of New Paltz. 

The third settlement was about midway between those already de- 
scribed. Patrick MacGregorie; his brother-in-law, David Toshuck, 



*The grant was subsequently confirmed by the Governor and Council of New York.— 
The patent is of record in New Jersey. 






LAND TITLES— FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 21 



wlio subscribed his name " Laird of Minivard," aiid twenty-five 
others, principally Scotch Presbyterians, entered upon lands at the 
mouth of the Waorane.ck. It was their tn-iginal intention to settle in 
New Jersey, but they were persuaded by Governor Dongan to take 
up lands in New York. Obtaining- a license for that purpose, Mac- 
Gregorie, acting as their representative, purchased for his people a 
tract of four thousand acres, embracing lands on both sides of Mur- 
derer's creek, " and so settled themselves, their families and sundry 
of their servants on the land so purchased, and were not oidy the 
first Christians that settled and improved thereon, but also peaceably 
and quietly possessed and enjoyed themselves during the term of 
their natural lives." On what is now known as Plum Point, but which 
was then called, from its abm-iginal owner, Comvanham's Mil, Mac- 
Gregorie reared his cabin, and in the same vicinity were the cabins of 
his associates, William Chambers, William Sutherland, and one Col- 
lum, while on the south side of the creek the " Laird of Minivard," 
and his servant, Daniel Maskrig, established a trading post. 

Unfortunately, MacGregorie did not perfect his title by patent. 
Trusting to Governor Dongan to protect his interests, he entered the 
service of the state, while Dongan obtained by purchase on his own 
account (Oct. 25, 1684), from " Mangenaett, Tsema, Keghgekapowell 
alias Joghem, three Indians native proprietors and principal owners, 
with the consent of Pemeranaghiv , chief sachem of Esopus Indians," 
a tract described as extending from " the Paltz along Hudson's river 
to the land belonging to the Indians at the Murderer's kill, thence 
westward to the foot of the high hills called Pithixkal-er and Aia^Jca- 
wastivg, thence southwesterly all along the said hills and the river 
called Peafradaxavk to a water pond lying upon said hills called 
Meretange, comprehending all those lands, meadows and woods called 
NeMcolank, Chawavgon, Memoradvfr, Kakoghgetawnarnuch, and Ghitta- 
tmvaghr The consideration was the sum of ninety pounds and 
eleven shillings, in the following goods: "10 fathoms blue duftels, 10 
fathoms of red duffels, 200 fathoms white wampum, 10 fathoms stroud 
water (red cloth), 10 fathoms blue cloth, 10 blankets, 10 guns, 10 
kettles, 10 duifel coats, 10 drawing knives, 10 shirts, 10 tobacco 
boxes, 10 children's duifel coats, 10 children's shirts, 10 pairs of hose, 
50 lbs. powder, 50 bars lead, 10 ]iair shoes, 10 cutlasses, 10 hatchets, 
10 hoes, 10 scissors, 10 tobacco tongues, 100 flints, 2 I'olls tobacco, 20 
gals, rum, 2 vats strong beer, and 1 barrel cider." 

To this purchase he added (April 16, 1684), by deed from Were- 
kepes, sachem, Sackaghfvieck , SeioiMamock alias Hans, Apiskaeuw, 
Cashoros, Csquavieck, Morivgamaghan, Pughghock, and Kaghtsikoox, the 
lands owned by " themselves and copartners," being a tract begin- 



22 GENEBAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



ning " at about a place called tlie Diincing Chamber, thence south to 
the north side of the land called Haverstraw, thence iiortli-west along: 
the liill called Skoonnenoghhy to the bounds of his purchase from the 
Esopus Indians aforesaid, including the Murderer's creek." The con- 
sideration was: 150 fathoms of wampum, 120 royals, 20 fathoms duf- 
fels, 6 guns, 7 brass kettles, 8 blankets, 6 i'athonis strouds, 2 cloth 
coats, 2 broad axes, 5 pair shoes, 6 children's shirts, 20 knives, 50 lbs. 
powder, 30 l)ars lead, 25 lbs. shot, 2 rolls tobacco, 4 iron pots, 10 to- 
bacco tongues, 10 tobacco boxes, 4 lbs. bood, 2 half vats single 
beer, 2 half vats double beer, 5 glass bottles, 5 earthen jugs, 2 pew- 
ter dishes, 2 bottles witli rum, 100 tobacco pipes, 10 luitchets, 6 draw- 
ing knives, 4 addz, 10 lioes, 10 pair stocking's, 8 shirts, 6 pistols, 10 
cliildren's blankets, 2 boys' cloth coats, 6 boys' duffel coats, 20 gallons 
rum, £2 * paid Frederick Phillipse, i£2 paid Stephanus Van Ct)rtlandt. 

Not only had the Indians previously sold to MacGregorie a portion 
of the lands which by this sale they conveyed to Dongan, but Step- 
hanus Van Cortlandt held their deed for a tract opposite Anthony's 
Nose. Tiie purchase was made July 13, 1()83, and the tract describ- 
ed as " beginning on the south side of a creek called Sankapogh, and 
so along said creek to the head thereof, and then northerly along 
the higli hills as the river runneth, to another creek called Aamiapink, 
and thence along the said creek to Hudson's river again, together with 
a certain island and parcel of meadow land, near or adjoining the 
same, called Manaliaivaghkin, and by the Christians, Salisbury island." 
Sackaghemeck, sachem of Haverstraw, Werckepen, and Kaghfsikoos, 
were the grantors. Luckily, he preserved his deed, and under it 
succeeded in obtaining a patent attaching his purchase to his manor, 
on the opposite side of the river. 

But the MacGi'egorie colonists were not so fortunate. Governor 
Dongan conveyed his two purchases to Captain John Evans, by pat- 
ent, Sept. 12, 1694, under the title of the Lordship and Manor of 
Fletcherdon. MacGregorie, after serving the province in the capaci- 
ty of Muster-General of the militia and as its agent among the north- 
western Indians in a district of country which had not been previously 
visited, had yielded up his life in the Leisler revolution of 1691; and 
a peaceful death had closed the earthly cares of David Toshuck in the 
bosom of his family at Plum Point. To dispossess the heirs was the 
first work of Evans, to whose shame it is written that he compelled 
MacGregorie's widow, Margaret, to sell to him the house in which 
she lived for " £30 or £S5, to the ruin of herself and family." To 
her and to her surviving neighbors he then granted leases, thus pre- 
serving title and possession as well as the continuity of the settle- 

* The pounds of this period were of about the vahie of an United States dollar. 



LAND TITLES— FIRST SllTTLEMENTS. 23 



ment. The Scotch settlers who remained in possession under these 
leastjs obtained no subsequent patent titles, except in the case of the 
heirs of MacGreg'orie, to whom, some years later, a patent was grant- 
ed for tiie Plum Point farm, and also for a mountain tract, in conside- 
ration of their claim. 

Tlie fourth settlement, and by far the most considerable, was made 
adjoining the "Christian patented lands of Haverstraw." It was com- 
posed of immigrants from Holland, principally members of the Re- 
formed Dutch Church. Among them were descendants or relatives of 
David Pieterson de Vries, who had occupied a conspicuous position in 
the earlier history of the province, and had established a plantation 
which he called Vriesendael, situated " in a beautiful valley just be- 
low the mountains." Driven thence during the war of 1645, he had 
taken to Holland a memory which had been treasured by his family 
and neighbors, whu, on their arrival, selected a location in the vicinity 
of if not embracing the site of his ancient "little bouwerie." Ob- 
taining, through trustees selected for that purpose, a title from " the 
native Indian proprietors," and being in numbers sutficient to demand 
it, they were granted (Marcii 20, 1(JS6,) a township patent, "under 
the name of the Town of Orange," with all the powers "practiced 
or belonging unto any town within this Government." The trustees 
of the grant \yere: Cornells Claessen Cuyper, Daniel de Klercke, Peter 
Harnich, Cattis Harnich, Gerritt Steumetts, John de Vries, Sr., John 
de Vries, Jr., Claes Mannde, Jan Stratemaker, Staaes de Groot, Arean 
Lannneates, Lamont Arianuis, Huybert Gerryts, Johannes Gerrits, 
Eide Van Vorst, and Cornelius Lammerts. The boundaries of the 
tract were defined as " beginning at the mouth of Tappan creek 
where it falls into the meadow and running from thence along the 
north side of the said creek to a creeple bush and falls into Hack- 
insack river, northerly to a place called the Greenbush and from 
thence along said Greenbush easterly to the lands of Class Janse 
and Dowe Harmanse,* and from thence southerly along said land 
upon the top of the hills to the afoi'ementioned mouth of Tappan 
creek where it falls into the meadow afuresaid." The center of tlie 
township was at Tappan, where a Glebe for the support of a minister 
was laid out and a church organized."]" 

A vacant tract of land, immediately west of Haverstraw, was 
conveyed by deed and patent (the latter, June 25, 1696,) to Daniel 
Honan and Michael Hawdon. This tract, which is described as being 



* Probably Harmau Dowson who had taken up a tract called Pessatinck, on Hackin- 
sack river. 

t The Kefurmed Protestant Dutch. It was organized Oct. 24, 1694. The first preacher 
■ was the Rev. Guilliam Bartholf. The first cliurch edifice was erected in 1716. The 
Glebe consisted of 55 acres. 



24 GENERAL HIS TOBY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



known by the name of Kuck-quack-ta-wake (Kixkisite) , was " bounded on 
the east by the Christian patented lands of Haverstraw, on the north by 
a creek called Shamorack or Feasqua, which runs under a great hill, 
from which it continues a west course until the west-south-west side 
of a barren plain called Wishpegivrap bears south, thence to the west- 
south-west side of aforesaid plain, from thence south-south-west until 
the said line comes to a creek that runs to David Demaree's creek to 
the south side of the land called Marranchaw, and thence down the 
said creek to the Ciiristian patented lands." Adjoining- this tract on 
the south, Samuel Bayard was granted certain tracts called Whori- 
nims, Ferseck, Gemackie and Narrashunck, " bounded north by the 
land of Daniel Honan and Michael Hawdon, south by the parting- 
line of this Province and the Jerseys, west by Saddle river, and east 
by Demarree's creek," containing two thousand acres. The Indian 
deed for this and several other purchases, was covered by one to 
Lucas Tienhoven, embracing by survey one hundred thousand acres, 
but for which no patent was issued. 

Between the township of Orange and the Haverstraw lands the 
rocky bluff known as Verdrietig hook, by the Indians called Quas- 
peeck, including Rockland lake, became the subject of controversy be- 
tween "John Hutchins and Company," and " Jarvis Marshall and 
Company." Both parties obtained deeds, but the latter apparently 
had priority in date of purchase and were granted (Sept. 27, 1694,) 
the patent, the patentees being Jarvis Marshall and William Welch. 
At a later period (April 23, 11 0«,) a patent to Lancaster Syms, Rob- 
ert Walter, and Hendrick Ten Eycke covered the vacant river front, 
described as " beginning by the south bounds of Haverstraw, thence 
west to the northerinost end of the land or island called Mattasink or 
Welch's island, thence southerly to the southermost end of said island, 
then east to the creek that runs out of the pond upon Verdrietig hook 
and along the same to the Hudson, then north to the place of begin- 
ning, except the grant to Honan and Hawdon." 

The patents described covered the entire district on the Hudson 
from the New Jersey line to New Paltz, and extended west to the 
line of the Shawangunk mountains. While they were being taken 
up, some entries had also been made on the Delaware river. Arent 
Schuyler, employed by the government as an interpreter of the Indian 
language and as an agent among the Indian tribes, obtained (May 
20, 1B97), on previous deed from the Minnisinks, a patent for one 
thousand acres, more particularly described as a " tract of land in the 
Minnisink country called by the native Indians Sankhekeneck, other- 
wise Mayhawaem; also, another tract called Warinsayskmeck, situa- 
ted upon a river called Mennessincks before a certain island called 



LAND TITLES-FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 25 



Menagnock, which tract is adjacent or near to a tract f)f land called 
llaghaghkemekJ' In tlie same year (Oct. 14,) a patent was granted 
to Jacob Codebec, Tliomas Swartwout, Anthony Swartwout, Bernar- 
dus Swartwout, Jan Tyse, Peter Gimar, and David Jamison, tor " a 
certain quantity of land at a place called Maghaghkemek, being- the 
quantity of one thousand two hundred acres; beginning at the west- 
ern bounds of the lands called Nepenec.k, to a small stream of water 
called by the Indian name of Assawaghkemeck, and so along said run 
of water and the lands of Manxjoor the Indian." 

It has been claimed that there was a settlement in the vicinity of 
the Swartwout patent sometime prior to the date of that instrument. 
At an early period that known as "the old mine road" was open- 
ed between Esopiis and the Delaware, constructed, it is said, by a 
company of Dutch miners. This road ran through the Mamakating 
valley, north of the Shawangunk mountains, was continued in the 
valley of the Maghaghkemek branch of the Delaware, and penetrat- 
ed the Minnisinks proper east of that river. Here, it is added, the 
company discovered copper, w^orked a mine and transported its pro- 
duct over the road which they had constructed to the Esopus settle- 
ment. Unfortunately for the value of the tradition, the road was 
simply the enlargement of an Indian trail which had been followed 
for ages, while tlie mine referred to was in what is now the town of 
Warren, Sussex county. New Jersey. The boundaries of the ques- 
tion are still further circumscribed by the fact that the Dutch at 
' Esopus, during the war of 1660,-'63, had little knowledge of the 
country even east of the Shawangunk mountains, and that the Min- 
nisink country was penetrated, if at a much earlier period, by the way 
of the Delaware river. 

Nor is it true that the first settlement was on the Swartwout pat- 
ent. At the date of issue of that patent, Jacob Codebac, Thomas 
Swartwout, Anthony Swartwout and Peter Gimar* were residents of 
New Paltz or of Kingston. They certainly had not made settlement 
on the Delaware in 1690. But there was settlement there, about that 
time, by one William Tietsoort,f a blacksmith, who in a petition to 
the governor and council of New York, dated April 10, 1708, states 
that he was formerly a resident of Schenectady, and that from the 
massacre at that place, in 1689, he barely escaped with his life; that 



* Peter Guimar, a native of Moir Saintonge, was married to Esther Hasbroucq, native 
of the Palatinate, at New Paltz, April 18th, 1692. He left his native place in company 
with Codebec in 1685, or rather the families of Abraham Giimiar and James Codebec, of 
which he and Jacob Codebec were minor members, came out together. 

t It is by no means an improbable presumption that the Jan Tyse, named in the Code- 
bac patent, was the son ot William Tietsoort. There is a similarity in the sound of the 
names indicating clerical error in the orthography of the entry. Errors of this kind 
are not uncommon. 



26 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



having' friends in the Esopus country he removed thither, where, being 
known by 'the friendly Indians, he was invited by them to take up 
his residence in the Minnisink country, the Indians voluntarily grant- 
ing- unto him a tract of land situate and being at Maghaghkemek, 
named and known by the name of Schaikaeckamick, in an elbow; 
that he obtained license to purchase, Oct. 15, 1698, that he so pur- 
chased, and that his possessions were subsequently assumed to be 
included in a purchase by and patent to Matthew Ling, against 
which he asked protection. There is very little room to doubt that 
he was the first settler on the western border. 

Active competition in the obtaining of patents sprang up at the 
opening of the succeeding century. Associations were formed, not 
unfrequently mainly comp(jsed of those holding official positions 
under the goveriuBent, and large grants obtained. Three principal 
patents of this class, necessarily require notice in this connection. 
The first, the Chesekook Patent, was included in a purchase from 
" Moringamaghan, Skawgas, Ughquaw, Onickotapp, and Aioqhquaherae, 
native Indians, proprietors," December 30, 1702, by " Doctor John 
Bridges, Hendrick Ten Eycke, Derick Vandenburgh, John Cholwell, 
Christopher Denn, Lancaster Syms, and John Merritt," of a " certain 
tract of upland and meadow called Chesekook, bounded north by 
the patent line of Captain John Evans, to the west by the high 
hills of the Highlands, to the south by Honan and Hawdon's patent, 
and to the east by the lands of the bounds of Haverstraw and Hud- 
son's river," and for which they received a patent March 25, 1707. 
The second, the Wawayanda Patent, was on a purchase (March 5, 
1703,) from Bapingonick, Wawadawa, Mogkopuck, Cornelawaw, Nan- 
awitt, Arawinack, Rombout, Glaus, Chouckhass, Chingapaiv, Oshasque- 
memus, and Quilapaw, native Indians and proprietors," by "Doctor 
John Bridges, Hendrick Ten Eycke, Derick Vandenburgh, John Chol- 
well, Christopher Denn, Lancaster Syms, Daniel Honan, Philip Roke- 
by, John Merritt, Benjamin Aske, Peter Mathews, and Cornelius 
Christianse," for a "certain sum of money and goods," of "certain 
tracts or parcels of vacant lands named Wawayanda, and some other 
small tracts or parcels of land, being bounded on the eastward by 
the high hills of the Highlands and the patent of Capt. John Evans, 
on the north by the division line of the counties of Orange and Ulster, 
on the westward by the high hills to the eastward of Minnisinks, and 
on the south by the division line of the provinces of New York and 
East Jersey." The patent was granted April 29, 1703. 

The third grant, the Minnisink Patent, was still more extensive. 
It was issued August 28, 1704, to Matthew Ling, Ebenezer Wilson, 
Philip French, Derick Vandenburgh, Stephen de Lancey, Philip Roke- 




APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF ORIGINAL PATENTS. 






LAND TITLES— FIRST SETTLEMENTS. /27 



by, John Corbett, Daniel Honan, Caleb Cooper, William Sharpas, 
Robert Milward, Thomas Wenham, Lancaster Syms, John Person, 
Benjamin Aske, Petrus Bayard, John Cholwell, Peter Faiiconier, 
Henry Swift, Hendrick Ten Eycke, Jarvis Marshall, Ann Bridges, 
(widow of John Bridges), and George Clark, and conveyed to them 
" all that part of Orange and Ulster counties, beginning at a place 
in Ulster county called Hunting House, or Yagh House, lying to the 
north-east of land called Bashe's land, thence to run west by north 
until it meets the Fishkill or main branch of Delaware river, thence 
to run southerly to the south end of Great Minnisink Island, thence 
due south to the land lately granted to John Bridges and Company 
(Wawayanda), and so along that patent as it runs northward and 
the patent of Captain John Evans, and thence to the place of begin- 
ning." The grant consolidated two grants, one to Philip French and 
Company and one to Ebenezer Wilson and Company, and only ex- 
cepted from its sweeping boundaries the tract called Sankhekeneck or 
Mayhawasin, with a parcel of meadow called Warinaayskmeck, pre- 
viously granted to Arent Schuyler, and a tract called Maghaghkemek, 
near Nepenevk, granted to Jacob Codebac, and others. 

Had the purchasers a deed from the Indians ? Not only is there 
none on record, but Sir William Johnson writes: "An elderly man 
who lived in the Highlands, and at whose house I dined on my way 
from New York some years ago, told me that he lived with or in the 
neighborhood of Depuy, and was present when the said Depuy * pur- 
chased the Minnisink lands from the Indians; that when they were to 
sign the deed of sale he made them drunk and never paid them the 
money agreed upon. He heard the Indians frequently complain of 
the fraud, and declare that they would never be easy until they had 
satisfaction for their lands." f When, in 1757 the wronged red men 
swept the western border with devastation, it was their declaration 
that they would never " leave ofl" killing the English until they were 
paid for their lands, mentioning Minnisink almost to Hudson's river." 

The boundary lines of the Chesekook, Wawayanda, Minnisink, 
and Evans patents, were, for a long time, a disturbing element. 
They were entirely undetined, except in general terms. The west 
line of Chesekook and the east line of Wawayanda was designated 
by a mountain range; the east line of Minnisink and the west line of 
Wawayanda was also a mountain range, and so in part was the north 
line of both the Chesekook and the Wawayanda, or rather the south- 



* Samuel Depuy was settled on the west bank of the Delaware, three miles above the 
Water Gap. He was one of the Walloons who came to New York about 1()97. He be- 
came a large land owner in Pennsylvania, and was well known to all who traveled " the 
mine-road." It is possible that he is referred to in the text. 

t MSS. of Sh Wm. Johnson, XXIV., 14. 



28 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



west line of the Evans patent to which they ran. In the subsequent 
adjustment of the latter, together with that of the county line, a por- 
tion of the territory claimed by the Wawaj'^anda patentees was cut 
ofl', while on the west an angle was formed, known as the Minnisink 
Angle, embracing a tract of one Inmdred and thirty thousand acres. 

The granting of immense tracts of land aroused the attention of 
the English government, in 1698. Investigation followed and result- 
ed in annulling the patent to Capt. Evans, by Act of the Assembly, 
May 12, 1699. Notwithstanding the policy of issuing patents for 
small tracts, upon which the repeal of the Evans patent was predi- 
cated, was abandoned in the almost immediately following issue of 
the Wawayanda, Minnisink, and similar large grants, the territory 
which the Evans patent covered was conveyed in small tracts by 
patents, issued at different periods from 1701 to 1775, but principally 
prior to 1750. The location and settlement of these patents, as well 
as extended reference to the settlement of the Chesekook, Wawa- 
yanda, and Minnisink patents, will be given in connection with the 
history of the towns in which they were embraced or which were 
formed from them. It is through them that w(,' may trace the foot- 
steps of the pioneers as they advanced from the Hudson on the east, 
along the valley of the Wallkill from the north, from the Delaware 
on the west, and from Haverstraw and Orangetown on the south-, — a 
race of bold men and bra^ve women. 

In the eimmeration of first settlements falling properly in this con- 
nection, that of the Palatine Parish of Quassaick requires notice. 
This settlement was composed of Germans from the Palatinate of the 
Rhine who, if not impoverished as principals were reduced to that 
condition in consequence of the devastation of their native district 
by the order and armies of Louis XIV. Accepting the overtures of 
the English government, a pioneer company reached London and was 
from thence sent by the government to America, supplied with imple- 
ments required for the construction of cabins and the clearing of land, 
and located on the vacated Evans patent, immediately north of Quas- 
saick creek, in the spring of 1709. This settlement formed the fourth 
principal centre of population in the district. 

The progress of settlement of the district during the century suc- 
ceeding the discf)very, aside from the extinction of the aboriginal 
title and the issue of patents, is aproximately conveyed in the census 
of 1702, by which it appears that the population at that time, exclu- 
sive of the MacGregorie settlement, consisted of forty-nine men be- 
tween the ages of sixteen and sixty; forty married women; fifty-seven 
male and eighty-four female children; thirteen male negroes, seven 
negresses, and thirteen negro children. 



CIVIL GOVEBNMENT. 29 



CHAPTER III. 

CIVIL GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES, PRECINCTS, AND TOWNS. 

1683—1798. 



ry^MIE civil government of New York, under the Dutch, was an 
_L extension of the laws and customs of Holland. Holland was an 
ag-greg-ate of towns, each providing for its own defense, administering 
its own finances, and governing itself by its own laws. The inhabi- 
tants of the towns were not, however, all upon an equality. To en- 
title a resident to every municipal franchise, burghership must be ac- 
quired. This was generally obtained by the payment of a sum of 
money, and the registry of the citizen's name upon the roll of burgh- 
ers. It was a hereditary francliise; it could pass by marriage, and 
it could be acquired by females as well as males. Foreigners, also, 
after a year's probation, could become burghers. The burgher right 
gave to the citizen freedom of trade, exemption from toll, special 
privileges and favors in prosecutions, and an exclusive eligibility to 
municipal office. The government of each town was administered 
by a Board of Magistrates, or burgomasters, and a certain number of 
schepens, or alderinen. The former provided for the public safety, at- 
tended to the police, mustered the burgher guard in case of danger, 
administered the finances, and assessed the taxes to be paid by each 
individual. In general, the term of office was annual. The burgo- 
masters and schepens were chosen by eight or nine " good men " 
elected by the wethouders, or inhabitants possessed of a certain prop- 
erty qualification. There was also another important officer, named 
the schout, who, in early times, was appointed by the court, out of a 
triple nomination by the wethouders, whose duties were somewhat 
analagous to those of balifl or county sheriff, combining with them 
some of the duties of a prosecuting attorney.* 

Among the inducements offered by the burgomasters of the city of 
Amsterdam, to those who were "willing to settle- in New Netlier- 
land," was the assurance that the place "allotted for the residence of 
the colonists," whether called "a city or town," should be regulated, 
"respecting the police or distribution of justice, and especially in the 



* Brodhead's New York, I., 453, etc. 



30 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



matter of descents, in the same manner as in Amsterdam;" that 
each town should "have one schout, or officer, as the head of justice," 
appointed as in Amsterdam; three burgomasters, who should be "ap- 
pointed by the common burghers out of the most honest, fit and rich;" 
and " five or seven schepens, to be appointed by the director-general 
out of double that number of persons who should be nominated by 
the wethouders. The schepens were to have jurisdiction in causes 
"for all sums under one hundred guilders," and to " pronounce sen- 
tence in all criminal causes," subject to appeal to the director-gen- 
eral. Towns of two hundred families were to be empowered to 
choose a common council of twenty-one persons" to take the direc- 
tion of the local government, appoint the burgomasters, and nomi- 
nate the schepens. 

The civil governments established by the English were of two 
classes. The New England colonies were under charters, or grants 
of the crown, enabling the people to elect their own governors and 
legislative assemblies, and establish courts of justice. Virginia, 
New York, New Jersey, the Carolinas, and Georgia, had royal or 
provincial governments possessing no power except that conferred 
directly by the king; their governors held their offices at the king's 
appointment and during his pleasure; councils, selected from the 
principal men of the provinces, acted as advisors of the governors 
and constituted one branch of the legislatures; no laws were valid 
unless approved by the king. The government of New Yoi'k differed 
from that of Virginia in this, that while the latter had been founded 
as an English province, the former was a conquered territory in 
which the existing laws and customs could not be inunediately and 
radically changed without serious difficulty. Nor was the attempt 
made. When the English succeeded the Dutch, the latter were left 
for some time undisturbed in the franchises which they had enjoyed, 
and were permitted to grow into the new system by gradual process. 
The changes which were immediately made were more in terms 
than in substance. "A Court of Assizes was established, which, 
like its New Netherland prototype, was the supreme tribunal uf the 
province, having both law and equity, as well as appellate jurisdic- 
tion. In this court the governor and his counselors possessed the 
same powers that had formerly been exercised by the Dutch director 
and his counselors, while the court itself was invested with the su- 
preme power of making, altering, and abolishing any law in the gov- 
ernment. "*'^?Local laws were left untouched. 

But there was an English element in the province to be consulted 
and strengthened. A considerable portion of Long Island, Staten 

* Brodhead 11., 62, etc. 



CIVIL OOVEBNMENT. 31 



Island, and Westchester, had been settled by English families, of 
whom those living on Long Island were already organized under the 
charter of Connecticut. To continue their privileges, as well as to 
form the basis of the new system, they were erected into a shire or 
county under the name of Yorkshire, and divided into ridings, dis- 
tricts or precincts. These ridings were thi-ee in number: "East 
Riding," including what is now Suffolk county, " West Riding," in- 
cluding Staten Island, Kings county, Newtown and part of West- 
chester county, and " North Riding," including the present county of 
Queens, over which the governor and council were to appoint a high- 
sheriff" every year, to be taken from each riding in succession. To 
each riding was given justices of the peace, who were to continue in 
office during the governor's pleasure, and who were to hold in their 
respective jurisdictions a court of sessions three times in each year. 
Besides their local duties, the high-sheriff" and the justices were to sit 
with the governor and his council in the Court of Assizes, which was 
to meet in New York once in each year. In the deliberations of the 
court the Dutch towns of New York, Albany, and Esopiis had no 
voice. 

In establishing a code of laws the same distinction in population 
was observed. Instead of inviting delegates from the several towns 
of the province to meet in convention, the people of Long Island and 
Westchester were asked to do so; New York, Albany, Esopus, and 
other Dutch towns, were excluded. Tlie code which was adopted by 
this convention, — which met at Hempstead on the 28th of February, 
1665, — was known as the "Duke's Laws," and while general in 
most of its provisions, so far as its future application was possible 
in the organization of towns, was primarily local in its force. The 
Court of Assizes was recognized as an existing institution, and was 
to hold a session in New York once in each j'^ear; but in pressing 
capital cases, the governor and council might issue commissions of 
Oyer and Terminer. Inferior Courts of Sessions, composed of the 
justices of the peace, were also continued as they had been estab- 
lished. Trials by jurymen, who were not to exceed seven, except in 
capital cases, were provided for. Arbitrators might be appointed 
in small causes between neighbors. Wherever the law was silent in 
any case, the Sessions were to remit it to the next Assizes, where 
matters of equity were to be decided and punishment awarded "ac- 
cording to the discretion of the bench, and not contrary to the known 
laws of England." Each town was given " a local court for the trial 
of causes under five pounds, which was to be held by the constable 
and six overseers, and from which there was an appeal to the Ses- 
sions." Eight "men of good fame and life," were to be chosen as 



32 OENEBAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



overseers of each town by a majority of the freeholders. Pour of 
these overseers retired at the end of each year, and from them a con- 
stable was to be annually chosen, on the first or second of April, by 
the freeholders, who was to be confirmed by the justices at the next 
Sessions. Tiie constable and overseers had power to make local or- 
dinances in their several towns. A high-sheriff" was to be annually 
appointed by the governor from each riding in rotation, and also an 
under-sheriff or high constable in each riding. Justices of* the peace 
were to be appointed by the governor and continued in office during 
his pleasure. Assessments were to be made in every year, after the 
first of June, by the officers of each town. Provision was made for 
the enforcement of the rates imposed; and general regulations in re- 
gard to the tenure of lands and other matters, were adopted. 

No material changes were made in this system until 1682, when, 
yielding to the demand of the people for a representative govern- 
ment, the king appointed Colonel Thomas Dongan governor of the 
province and gave him instructions to organize a new council, to be 
composed of not exceeding ten of "the most eminent inhabitants," 
and to issue writs to the proper officers for the election of "a gener- 
al assembly of all the freeholders by the persons who they shall 
choose to represent them," in order to consult with him and his coun- 
cil " what laws are fit and necessary to be made and established " for 
the good government of the province " and all the inhabitants there- 
of." On the nth of October, 1683, the assembly thus authorized met 
at Fort James in New York. It was composed of delegates from all 
parts of the province, and during its session of three weeks, passed 
fourteen several acts, which were assented to by the governor and 
his council. Among these laws was one " to divide this Province 
and dependencies into shires and counties," and one "to settle 
Courts of Justice." Twelve counties were established by the former: 
New York, Kings, Queens, Suffolk, Richmond, Westchester, Albany, 
Ulster, Duchess, Orange, Duke's, and Cornwall, which, with the ex- 
ception of Duchess, which was placed under the care of Ulster, and 
Orange, which was similarly associated with New York, were to be 
entitled to representation in future general assemblies. The law re- 
lating to courts established four distinct tribunals: Town Courts, for 
the trial of small causes, to be held each month; County Courts, or 
Courts of Sessions, to be held at certain times, quarterly or half 
yearly; a General Court of Oyer and Terminer, with original and ap- 
pellate jurisdiction, to sit twice in every year in each county, and a 
Court of Chancery, to be the " Supreme Court of the Province," com- 
posed of the governor and council, witli power in the governor to de- 
pute a chancellor in his stead, and appoint clerks and other officers. 



CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 33 



The Court of Assizes having "ceased and determined," was replaced 
by the Court of Oyer and Terminer. This system continued until 
1691, when courts of justices of the pc^ace were organized in every 
town, and one of Common Pleas for every county- 
One of the leading features in the early civil divisions established 
by the English, was the organization of precincts. Cities and towns 
had been established by the Dutch prior to English occupation; a few 
English towns existed on Long Island, as already stated, and a few 
town charters were subsequently granted, by the governor and coun- 
cil, to companies or associated colonists; but precincts were entirely 
different in their constitution and government, and of necessity be- 
came more numerous. Primarily, they were composed of the scat- 
tered settlements of contiguous territory organized by the courts as 
court districts, and attached to some adjoining town for assessment 
and local government. Their boundaries were crude; their popula- 
tion small ; their officers such as were known only to the county at 
large. Subsequently, as population increased, their boundaries were 
more clearly defined, and officers assigned to them. So numerous did 
these divisions ultimately become that towns were almost entirely 
lost sight of, until after the Revolution, when the distinction, which 
then existed only in name, was removed. 

In 1701, the Assembly, by act of October 18, provided that the jus- 
tices of the peace of the several counties, " or any five or more of 
them, two whereof to be a quorum," should, once in the year, at a 
court of general or special sessions, supervise, examine and allow 
the public and necessary charge of their respective county, and of 
every town thereof," including the "allowance made by law to their 
representative or representatives." For the assessment and collec- 
tion of the accounts allowed by them, they were "empowered to 
issue their warrant to the several towns for the election of two as- 
sessors and one collector in each town. The act further provided 
that the "justices at the respective general sessions," should, "once 
in the year, make provision for maintenance and siipport f)f the poor" 
of their several towns or precincts. 

This law continued in force until June 1703, when it was enacted, 
that there should be " elected and ciiosen, once every year, in each 
town, by the freeholders and inhabitants thereof, one of their free- 
holders and inhabitants, to compute, ascertain, examine, oversee, and 
allow the contingent, public, and necessary charge of each county, 
and that eacli and every inhabitant, being a freeholder in any manor, 
liberty, jurisdiction, precinct, and out-plantation, shall have liberty to 
join his or their vote with the next adjacent town in the county, 
where such inhabitants shall dwell, for the choice of a supervisor." 



34 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



The law also provided tliat thei-e should be annually chosen " in each 
town, ward, manor, and precinct, by the freeholders and inhabitants 
thereof, two assessors and one collector." The elections were to be 
held " on the first Tuesday in April," or on such other days as were 
" appointed by their charters and patents." The supervisors were 
required to meet annually, " at the county town in each respective 
county, on the first Tuesday in October; and at such other time and 
times as they should "judge and fkid necessary and convenient," and 
then and there "compute the public necessary contingent charges 
against their respective counties," together with " such other sum 
and sums of money" as should be "brought and exhibited to or be- 
fore them," to be levied on their respective " counties by the laws of 
the colony." When the computation was "perfected, and the propor- 
tion of each town, manor, liberty, jurisdiction, and precinct, ascer- 
tained and appointed," it was to be transmitted to the assessors, who 
were "required, equally, duly, and impartially, to assess and make a 
rate for their respective proportions," being first sworn to make such 
assessment equally and impartially. The assessment, when com- 
pleted, was to be delivered to the collectors, who were empowered to 
collect and pay the same to the county treasurer," who was to be 
" annually chosen in each county by the supervisors." 

The changes which, up to this time, had been made in the civil gov- 
ernment, it will be observed, consisted in substituting courts of jus- 
tices of the peace, for the courts held by overseers under the law of 
1665. Constables were continued in each town, and in addition the 
towns were authorized to elect supervisors, assessors and collectors. 
Officers equivalent to the present commissioners of highways were 
given to the towns in 1691, by an act " impowering " the freehold- 
ers "to nominate and make choice in each of their respective towns, 
annually, three persons to be surveyors and orderers of the work for 
laying out and the amendment of the highways and fences within the 
bounds and limits of their respective towns." This law also gave 
power to the freeholders of the towns, when assembled for the elect- 
ion of the officers to which they were entitled, " to make, establish, 
constitute, and ordain, such prudential orders and rules, for the better 
improvement of their lands in tillage, pasturage, or any other reason- 
able way," as the majority should deem "good and convenient." 

It was under these general laws that the district of country now 
forming part of Ulster county, and the whole of Orange and Rock- 
land counties, had its organization and development. The act of 
1683, dividing the province into shires and counties, provided: "The 
County of Ulster to contain the towns of Kingston, Hurley and Mar- 
bletown, and all the villages, neighborhoods and Christian habitations 




ORIGINAL COUNTY OF ORANGE. 

From Sauthier's Mai), 1779. 



COUNTY AND FBECINCT OROANIZATIONS. 35 



on tlie west side of Hudson's river, from the Murderer's creeke, near 
the Hig-hUmds, to Sawyer's creeke. The County of Orange"^ to be- 
ginne from the limitts or bounds of East and West Jersey, on the 
west sid(> (if Hudson's river: along the said river to Murderer's 
creeke, or hounds of the county of Ulster; and westward into the 
woods as far as Dehiware river." These boundaries, though crude 
and ilhistrative of the imperfect knowledge of the country which then 
prevailed, were destined to be substantially maintained for over one 
hundred years. 

The organization of towns and precincts in the county of Orange 
began with that of the town of Orange in 168G.f Soon after its or- 
ganization the inhabitants of the adjoining patents, including Haver- 
straw, were attached to it, for court jurisdiction and assessment. 
By act of the assembly, June 24, 1719, — in response to a petition of 
the inhabitants of Haverstraw, reciting the inconveniences of asso- 
ciation with Orangotown, — the northern settlements were included in 
a precinct under the title of the Precinct of Haverstraw, thereby cre- 
ating two precincts, viz: Orangetoivn with Tappan as its center, and 
Ilaverdraiv with the "Christian patented lands of Haverstraw" as its 
center. The boundaries of the latter were "from the northermost 
bounds of Tappan to the northermost bounds of Haverstraw." Its 
inhal)itants were authorized to elect, on the first Tuesday in April 
annually, the officers common to a town, viz: "One supervisor, one 
collector, two assessors, one constable, and two overseers of high- 
ways," who should be " invested witli all the powers, and be obliged 
to perform sucli services and duties" as pertained to similar officers. 

The settlements of Goshen, Warwick, Gray Court, etc., on the Wa- 
wayanda patent, were given (organization as the Precinct of Goshen 
sometime about 1114, the township of Goshen becoming the political 
center. | Under the general law of 1703, it was entitled to two 
assessors, a collector, overseers of highways, and a constable. It 
remained without change until 1743, when it was empowered to elect, 
in addition to its other officers, two c(mstables, one of whom should 
be "from and out of sucli of the inhabitants" as had their residence 
in the south i)art of the precinct, "commonly called Wawayanda," 
and the otlier from "the inhabitants to tlic northward, near the meet- 
ing house commonly called the water-side meeting house." The terri- 
tory embraced in the precinct included the entire county, with the 

* " So called in compliment to the Dutch son-in-law of James Second."— £?-od7!ead. 
Known as the Prince of Orange — subsequently William Third of England. 

t Ante p. 2.S. " 

t Goshen was founded as a township, precisely as was Orange town, and was similarly 
included in the subsequent precinct organization with other settlements. It should be 
observed, however, that in these and similar cases of prior to^vnship organizations tho 
adjoining settlements were the "precincts of the town to which they were attached. 

03 



3G OENEEAL HISTORY OF OBAKGE COUNTY. 



exception of the Haverstraw and Oranf^etown districts, and extend- 
ed from tlie Delaware to Hudson's riv<M-.* By act of assembly, Octo- 
ber 20, 1764, it was divided by " a straig-iit line to be run, beginning 
at the borders or verge of the county of Ulster, near the new dwell- 
ing house of John Manno, thence on a course which will leave the 
house of Barnabas Horton, Jr., ten chains to the westward, to the 
most extreme parts of said precinct ;f all the lands lying to the west 
of said line to be Goshen Precinct, and all eastward to be called Neio 
Cornwall Precinct. These two precincts, with the precincts of Hav- 
erstraw and Orangetown, constituted the political divisions of the 
county until after the revolution. Subsequently and prior to 1797-98, 
the following changes were made: The title of precinct was changed 
to that of town in the cases of Orangetown, Haverstraw, Gt)shen, and 
New Cornwall, in 1788, | at which time the towns of Warwick and 
Minnisink were erected i'roiii Goshen; from Haverstraw the towns of 
Clarkstown and Ramapo were erected in 1791; New Cornwall chang- 
ed its title to Cornwall in 179T. These changes gave to the county, 
in 1798, the towns of Orangetown, Haverstraw, Clarkstown, Ramapo, 
Goshen, Warwick, Minnisink, and Cornwall. 

From this survey of the c;ounty of Orange we pass to notice the 
civil divisions of Ulster county so far as they were embraced in the 
district which we are considei'ing. Immediately north of Murderer's 
creek there was no civil organization until the advent of the Palatines 
in 1709, § wlien \he Precincl of the Highlands wds erected and attached 
to New Paltz At the same time or soon after, and evidently by order 
of the court, the Precinct of Maghaghkemek \\ and the Precinct of Sha- 



* That portion of the precinct lying west of the Minnisink mountains was subjected to 
several political changes : By act of October 18, 1701, " for the more regular proceedings 
in Election of Representatives,'" the inhabitants of " Wagachcmeck and Great and Little 
Minnisink" were " impowered to give their votes in the cotinty of Ulster." By act of 
November 12, 1709, " to determine, settle, and ascertain the bounds and limits of the 
county of Orange," the act of October 15, 1701, was repealed so far as it related to the 
settlements named, which were in effect declared to be a part of Orange county. By 
subsequent survey Maghaghkemek (Curtdebackville) was found to be north of the line 
of Orange, and hence passed to the jurisdiction of Ulster, appearing on the tax-roll as 
the "Neighborhood of Maghaghkemek." It remained in this ])olitical relation until 1798, 
Avhen the town of Deerpark was erected as one of the consequences of the reorganization 
of Orange county, of which it became part. The other settlements were included (after 
1709) in the precinct of Goshen ; subsequently in the town of Minnisink (1788), from 
which they were taken (1798) and included in the boundaries of Deerpark. 

t This line is said to have been parallel with the west line of the present town of Monroe. 

f The erection of towns at this date, wherever situated in the state, was under a gen- 
eral law passed March 7th, 1788, entitled, " An act for dividing the coimties of this state 
into towns." 

§ So much of the district as was embraced in the Evans patent, was, by the terms of 
that instrument, erected into the " Manor and Lordshii) of Fletcherdon," \vith the usual 
authority conferred in manorial grants, but, in the absence of other population than that 
included in the MacGregorie settlement, it is not prol)ablo that even the civil jurisdiction 
of a manorial court was established during the few years the grant was continued. 

II Tlie correctness of this statement having been questioned, we qiiote from the act of 
December 17th, 1743: "And whereas Shava/igunk, Highlands and Maghaghkemek have 
formerly been deemed and esteemed three precincts, and have been assessed by their own 
assessors," &c. It was subsequently included in the Precinct of Mamakating. 



COUNTY AND PRECINCT ORANIZATIONS. g? 



wangvnk were coiistiTuted, the latter attached to New Paltz. Under 
this limited org-anizatioii the territory which these precincts covered 
remained until 1743, when, by act of December 17tli, three full pre- 
cincts, having all the officers of towns and exercising- all their duties, 
were established. These precincts wei'e to be known and called "by 
the name of the WallJcill Precinct, Shawangunk Precinct, and High- 
land PrecincfJ^ Tlie tirst, the Precinct of Wa/lkiU, was bounded on 
the north " by the north bounds of ten thousand acres of land grant- 
ed to Jeremiah Schuyler and others, by the south bounds of four 
thousand acres of land g-ranted to Gerardus Beekman and others, by 
the north bounds of three thousand acres of land granted to Henry 
Wileman and others, by the east bounds of three thousand acres of 
land g-ranted to John Johnson, and l)y the east bounds of two thou- 
sand acres of land g-ranted to Cadwallader Golden;" on the south 
" by tlie north b(juiids ()f two thousand acres of land g-ranted to 
Patrick Hume, by the north and west bounds of the land granted 
to CorneHus Low and others, and by the north-west and south-west 
bounds of two thousand acres of land granted to Phineas Mcintosh, 
and by the line dividiug the counties of Orange and Ulster to Sha- 
wangunk mountains." In more general terms the district was de- 
Hned as "bounded westerly by the Shawangunk mountains as they 
run from the county of Orange to a creek or river called the Platte- 
kill, then along the Plattekill to Sliawangunk river, then all along 
Shawangunk river to the north bounds of the ten thousand acres 
granted to Jeremiah Schuyler aforesaid." The freeholders were re- 
quired to "meet at the house of Matties Millspaugh, on the first Tues- 
day of April yearly," or at such other place as should be selected by 
the inhabitants after the first meetiiig, and elect one supervisor, two 
assessors, a collector, a constable and an overseer oi" the poor. One 
(^f the assessors was to be located on the west side of the Wallkill, 
" and because the said Wallkill river, which crosses the said precinct, 
is sometimes dangerous to pass," one collector and one constable were 
added to the officers of the precinct " for that part thereof which 
Heth to the westwartl of said river." 

The second, the Precinct of Shawangunk; was bounded on the west 
" by the foot of Shawangunk mountains; on the south and west by 
the precinct of Wallkill; on the east by the line or bounds of three 
thousand five hundred acres granted to Rip Van Dam and others, by 
the east bounds of two thousand acres of land granted to Barbaric, 
and by the east bounds or line of two thousand acres of land granted 
to Huddleston ; and on the north by the north bounds or line of the 
said two thousand acres granted to Huddleston, by the north bounds 
of two thousand acres granted to Peter Matthews and others;" on 



38 GENEBAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

the south, by a line "crossing the said Wallkill river to the moutli of 
Shawangunk river, and running- thence south-westerly all along the 
north-west side of said Shawangunk river to the south-west corner of 
the land granted to Colonel Jacob Rutzen;" aud on the west by the 
" westerly bounds or line of said land granted to Rutzen to a salt 
pond, called 'the great salt pond,' and from thence upon a west 
line to the foot of Shawangunk mountains aforesaid." The first pre- 
cinct meeting was to be held at the house of Benjamin Smedes, Jr., 
at which a supervisor, two assessors, and the usual precinct officers 
were to be chosen, and the place of subsequent meetings designated. 
The Precinct of the Highlands embraced tlie patents lying along 
the Hudson from Murderer's creek to New Paltz, and was more par- 
ticularly described as "bounded on the east by Hudson's river; on 
the south by the line dividing the counties of Ulster and Orange; on 
the west by the precincts of Wallkill and Shawangunk and the 
neighborhoods annexed to the New Paltz,* and on the north by the 
bounds or line of New Paltz town." The precinct meetings were to 
be held " at tlie house of John Humphrey, Jr., on the first Tuesday of 
April, anniially," for the election of precinct ofiicers. 

The same act gave primary constitution to the Precinct of Mama- 
kating, in which was included "all the land to the southward of the 
town of Rochester as far as the county of Ulster extends, and to the 
westward of the precincts of Wallkill and Shawangunk as far as the 
county extends." The first precinct meeting was to be held at the 
dwelling house of Samuel Swartwout, at which one constable, two 
assessors, two overseers of the poor and two surveyors of highways 
were to be elected. In the election of supervisor tlie freeholders 
were associated with the town of Rochester. Under the law of 
1798, the northern part of the territory included in the then town of 
Deerpark was taken from this precinct. 

The precinct of the Highlands continued in existence until 1762, 
when it was divided into the precincts of Newburgh and New Wind- 
sor, " by a line beginning at the mouth of Quassaick creek, and run- 
ning thence along the south bounds of a tract* of land commonly 
called the German patent, to another tract granted to Alexander 
Baird, and then along the southerly bounds of the said last mention- 
ed tract to the Wallkill precinct; all the lands heretofcn-e compre- 
hended within the said Highland precinct lying to the southward of 



* The "neighborhoods annexed to New Paltz," were "Guill'ord, and several other 
patents, from the south bounds of New Paltz to the north bounds of Shawangunk pre- 
cinct, and from the foot of the high mountains eastward to the east line of the patent 
granted to Thomas Garland, and by the south and east by the land granted to Hugh 
Freer and others, and to the eastward by an east line from the said Hugh Freer's 
bounds to the bounds or line of New Paltz." The freeholders were to vote with the 
freeholders of New Paltz and in all respects to be considered a part of that town. 



f 



COUNTY AND PRECINCT ORGANIZATIONS. 39 



tlie aforesaid dividing line to be called by the name of New Wmdsor 
Precinct, and all the lands heretofore comprehended within the said 
Highland precinct lying to the northward of the said line to be called 
by the name of Newbiirgh Precinct." The latter was divided, in 1712, 
by a line running along the north bounds of the Harrison, Bradley, 
Wallace, Kip and Cruger, and Jamison patents, to the precinct of 
Shawangunk, " all the land lying to the northward of said line, to 
be called and known by the name of New Marlborough Precinct, and 
all the land south of said line to continue to be called Newburgh 
Precinct." 

The same law divided the precinct of VVallkill by a line beginning 
at the s(.)uth-west corner of the Mcintosh patent and the south-east 
corner of McKnight's, "thence along the south-west bounds of Thom- 
as Noxon, the south-west bounds of Harrison and Company, the south- 
west l)ounds f)f Philip Schuyler, to the Pakadasink river or Shawan- 
gunk kill;" all north-east of this line "to be called tlie Precinct of 
Hanover and all the land south-west of said line, heretofore compre- 
hended in the precinct of Wallkill, to continue to be called the Pre- 
cinct of Wallkill." 

The precincts named carried with them their designative titles in 
their organization as towns under the act of 1788, with the exception 
of Hanover, whose inhabitants, for the purpose of attesting their de- 
testation of the English government as well as their appreciation of 
the heroic services of General Richard Montgomery, obtained consent, 
from the provincial convention of the state, in 1782, to change the 
precinct name to Montgomery. By the act of 1788, they were seve- 
rally erected as the towns of Newburgh, New Windsor, New Marlbo- 
rough, Shawangunk, Montgomery, and Wallkill. The changes which 
had been made from time to time in their organization were the out- 
gr(jwth of increasing population and the necessary convenience of 
local administration. But their sub-division, especially after the war 
of the revolution, did not entirely meet the emergencies which the 
rapid increase of population demanded. The people of Newburgh 
and the neighboring southern towns of Ulster county, were requir- 
ed to transact their county business at Kingston, while those of 
Cornwall and the north-eastern part of Orange were compelled to at- 
tend courts and enter their records at Orangetown. In either case 
the county seat was tlMrty miles or more distant, and in precisely op- 
posite directions, Avhile the facilities for communication, for a large 
pi)rtion of the time, were most exceptionable. The inhabitants of 
the western part of Orange were better accommodated, Goshen having 
been made, at .an early period, a half-shire district; still their records 
were kept at Orangetown, and a considerable portion of their court 



40 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

business was necessarily transacted there. To inaugurate the 
correction of these inconveniences a convention of delegates from 
the several towns interested was held at Ward's Bridge * on the 6th 
of April, 1793, but without other result than the agitation of the 
question, and the hall-expressed willingness of the delegates from 
Goshen to a union of the northern towns of Orange and the southern 
towns of Ulster in a new county organization, with courts alternately 
at Newburgh and Goshen. A second convention was held at the 
house of John Decker, at Otterkill, in February, 1794, with no better 
result, the delegates from Newburgh being instructed to decline 
" any union at all " unless it should be agreed that a court house be 
erected and courts held at Newburgh and Goshen alternately,f a 
proposition which the Goshen delegates were not fully disposed to 
concede. 

Here the matter i-ested until 1797, when a third convention assem- 
bled, similarly composed, at Kerr's hotel in Little Britain. At this 
convention, General Wilkin and General Hopkins, from Orange, and 
Daniel Niven and Isaac Belknap, 8r., from Ulster, appointed a com- 
mittee to report terms upon which a union should be formed, agreed 
to a stipulation that the courts should be held at Newburgh and 
Goshen alternately, and the convention ratified it. The subject 
came before the legislature in the winter of 1797-98. Two bills 
were presented — one entitled "An Act for Dividing the County of 
Orange," the other, " An Act for Altering the bounds of the Coun- 
ties of Orange and Ulster." The first was passed on the 23d of 
February, and enacted: "That all that tract of land in the county of 
Orange, lying north-west of a line beginning at the mouth of Poplo- 
pen's kill, on Hudson's river, and running from thence to the south- 
eastermost corner of the farm of Stephen Sloat, and then along the 
south bounds of his farm to the south-west corner thereof, and then 
on the same course to the bounds of the state of New Jersey, J shall 
be and hereby is erected into a separate county, and shall be called 
and known by the name of Orange;" and, "That all that part of the 
said county of Orange lying southward of the above described line 
shall be erected into a separate county,' and shall be called and known 
by the name of Rockland." The act also made provision for holding 
courts, fixed the number of members of assembly, etc. The second 
act was passed on the 5th of April following. , It enacted, " That the 



* Now the village of Moutgomery. 

t Newburgh Town Records, Feb.'l, 1794. 

X Act of April 3cl, 1801, gives this Une as from the middle of Hudson's river "west to 
the mouth of Poplopens Idil, and from thence on a direct course to the east end of the 
mill dam now or late of Michael Weiman across the Bamapough river, and from thence a 
direct course to the twenty-mile stone standing in the said division line between this 
state and the state of New" Jersey." 



COUNTY AND PRECINCT ORGANIZATIONS. 41 



towns of New Windsor, Newbuvgh, Wallkill, Montgomery and Deei'- 
park, now in the c<iunty of Twister, sliall be and hereby are annexed 
to the county of Orange," and made provision for holding courts al- 
ternately at Newburgh and (losheji, the latter being the county seat. 
With these enactincMits the records of the original county were 
closed, and from the heart of tlie patents and precincts covering the 
district described " in the beginning," was erected the present county, 
bearing, under the title of Orange, the colonial and revolutionary 
history of the territory wiiich it embraced, the most populous * and 
fertile of the lands oi' the original district, and more than two-thirds 
of its wealth, — elements which gave to it inunediate prominen(;e in 
state and national p(;litics, and which, under subsequent and pro- 
gressive developement, have maintained its rank among the first 
counties of the state. Tiie b(nindary lines of the new county were 
definitely tixed by the general law of April 8d, 1801, entitled : 
"An x\ct to divide this State into Counties," as follows: "The 
county of Orange to contain all that part of this state bounded 
easterly by the middle of Hudson's river, southerly by the said 
county of Rockland and the division line between this state and 
the state of New Jersey, westerly by the river Mongaapf and 
the division line between this state and the commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania, and northerly by a line drawn frtmi a point in the 
niiddle of said Hudson's river opposite the north-east corner of a 
tract of land granted to Francis Harrison and Company, called the 
five thousand acre tract, to the said north-east corner, and running 
from thence westerly along the north bounds of the said tract and 
the north bounds of another tract granted to the said Francis Har- 



* The population of the original county of Orange, and that part of Ulster included in 
the district, was (1790) as follows: 

ORANGE COUNTY : ULSTEB COUNTY : 

Cornwall, 4,225 Mamakating, 1,763 

Goshen, 2,448 Montgomery, 3,563 

Haverstraw, 4,826 Newburgh, 2,365 

Minnisiuk, 2,215 New Windsor, 1,819 

Orangetown, 1,175 New Marlborough, 2,241 

Warwick, 3,603 Shawangunk, 2,128 

Wallkill, 2,571 



Total, 18,492 16,450 

The following were the towns included in the new county, under the same census : 

TOWNS FROM ORANGE : TOWNS FROM ULSTER : 

Cornwall, 4,225 Montgomery, 3,563 

Goshen 2,448 Newburgh, 2,365 

Minnisink, 2,215 New Windsor, 1,819 

Warwick, 3,603 Wallkill, 2,571 



Total, 12,491 10,318 

The census of 1800, immediately following the erection uf the now county, gave its pop- 
ulation as 29,368, and that of the towns not included as 14,807— showing the population 
of the district at that tune to b§ 44,175. 

t Originally known as tlie Mingwing. Mongaap is presumed to be Dutch. It is en- 
tered on Hauthier's map, " Mangawping." Whilo the old county line ran to the Delaware 
river, the new line stopped at the Mongaap; it was also further north than the old line, 



42 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



rison to the tract of land commonly called Wallace's tract, then along 
the lines of the same northerly and westerly to the north-easterly 
bounds of a tract of land granted to Jacobus Kip, John Cruger and 
others, commonly called Kip and Cruger's tract, then westerly along 
the north-easterly and northerly bounds thereof, and then westerly to 
the north-east corner of a tract of three thousand acres granted to 
Rip Van Dam and others, thence southerly along the same to the 
north-east corner of a tract of three thousand acres granted to Henry 
Wileman, and running thence along the north bounds thereof to the 
Paltz river, commonly called the Wallkill, then southerly up the said 
river to the south-east corner of a tract of four thousand acres of 
land granted to Gerardus Beekman and others, then westerly and 
northerly along the southerly and westerly bounds thereof to the 
north-east corner tliBreof, and then north-westerly along the north 
bounds of the land granted to Jeremiah Schuyler and Company to 
the Shawangunk kill, thence southerly along said kill to the north 
part of the farm now or late in the occupation of Joseph Wood, Jr., 
thence west to the river Mongaap." By act of the 7th of April of 
the same year definite boundary lines were given to the towns com- 
posing the newly constructed county, namely: Blooming-Grove, 
Chesekook, Cornwall, Deerpark, Goshen, Minnisink, Montgomery, 
New Windsor, Newburgh, Wallkill, and Warwick.* 

Incident to the history of the original county, it is proper to re- 
mark, in this connection, that although organized in 1G83, it was 
only a county in name — a district in the wilderness with boundaries 
upon paper. It was not until nearly twenty years later that it 
became a county de facto. True, it was assigned a sherift' and a 
clerk, and had a jail, but it was attached to New York in other re- 
spects in the character of a borough. Governor Leisler, in his ill- 
starred rebellion, attempted to use it (1691) by appointing, as one of 
his council, William Lawrence of New York, as representing Orange, 
and when it was given representation in the assembly (1699), it was 
not as a right due to population, but to serve another purpose. Prac- 
tically, the organization of the county began in 1703, when the first 
session of the court, and the first meetino- of iustices actina- as a 
board of supervisors, was held.f Such local administration as it had. 



* From the territory embraced in the towns named, the following additional towns 
were erected: Chester, 1845, from Goshen, Warwick, Blooming-Grove, and Monroe; 
Grawtord, 1823, from Montgomery; Greenville, 1853, fi-om Minnisink; Hamptouburgh, 
1830, trom Goshen, Blooming-Grove, Montgomery, New Windsor, and Wallkill; Mount 
Hope 1833, trom Wallkill, Minnisink and Deerpark; Wawavanda, 1849. from Minnisink; 
Highlands, irom Cornwall, 1872; the city of Newbnrgh, 1866, from Newbm-gh. The 
county now embraces eighteen towns, one city, and six incorporated villages. 

t The record book contains this entry: "Begister kept for Orange county, begun ye 5th 
day ot April, Anno Domini 1703." The earUer records were probably kept in New York to 
which the county was attached. 



COURTS AND COURT HOUSES. 43 



aside fi'om the officers of its precincts, may be brie% stated. Miniiie 
Johannes was its first sherifl", 1685; Floris Willenise Croni, in 1690; 
Stanley Handcock, in 1694; John Patersen, in 1699, and Theunis 
Toleman in 1701. The h\tter was not held in very high esteem by 
Governor Cornbury, who apparently regarded the ability of a man 
to write his own name as a qualification. Dirck Storm was the 
county clerk, or clerk of the court, in 1691, and William Huddleston 
in 1703. Judges of connnon pleas came in in 1701, William Merritt 
being the first judge. The first session of the court was held at 
Orangetown, April 28, 1703, — present: William Merritt and John 
Merritt, judges. The first recorded session of justices of the peace, 
acting as a board of supervisors, was held April 27, 1703, — present: 
William Merritt, John Merritt, Cornelius Cuyper, Tunis Van Houton, 
Thtjuias Burroughs, Michael Hawdon, justices; John Ferr}', sherifl'; 
William Huddleston, clerk, and Conradt Hanson, constable. From 
this time the record is continuous. 

Many franchises were dependent upon population. Of this char- 
acter were surrogate's courts. The first law of the province relating 
to estates gave to courts of common pleas power to take proof of wills 
and grant letters of administration in remote counties. Other coun- 
ties, including Orange and Ulster, were required to transact such 
business in New York. This was changed by act of November, 24, 
1750, which relates that whereas, at the time of the enactment of the 
law providing that in remote counties courts of common pleas should 
be authorized to take the examination of witnesses to any will, on 
oath, and to grant letters of administration, the " county of Orange 
was not considered and esteemed one of the remote counties," but 
that since the passage of the said act, " the north-west parts of the 
said county, being nearly one lumdred miles distance from the city 
of New York," had "increased greatly in number of inhabitants, as 
well by families removed to those parts, as otherwise," who were 
laboring under " the like inconveniences as those of said remote 
counties," that therefore the judges and justices of the said court of 
common pleas, and the clerk of the said county, be vested with au- 
thority to take such examinations and issue such letters of adminis- 
tration. This arrangement was continued until 1754, when William 
Finn was appointed surrogate and a surrogate's court established. 

The courts iield their sessions at Orangetown exclusively until 
1727, when Goshen was given alternate terms. The first county 
buildings were erected at Orangetown, sometime about 1703. At 
the first court of sessions held l)y justices of the peace, April 5th, 
1708, an examination of the "common gaol of the county" was or- 
dered and directions given to complete the same. By act of the as- 



44 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

scnibly, Deceinbor KUh, 1737, "the Justices of tho peace of that part 
of Oraiin-e county lying to the northward of the Highlands," were 
" authorized to build a court house and gaol for the said county at 
Goshen." This buihling was coinph>tcd under act of November 3d, 
1740, by wliich one hundred pounds w-ere authorized to be raised for 
the purpose on the portion of the county already named. It was a 
structure of wood and stone; was repaired in 1754, and was torn 
down in 1775 or 1776, a new stone court house having been erected. 
The hitter was on the site now occupied by tlie office of tlie county 
clerk in Goshen. Its erection was provided for under an act of the 
assembly, March 12th, 1713, by which one thousand pounds were 
raised for th(^ purpose on the precincts of Goshen and Cornwall. 
Four liundred pounds additional were raised in 1774 to finish it, and 
prisoners were removed to it under act of April 1st, 1775. It was 
originally two stories high. A third story, it is said, was added to it 
in 1801-2, the first story being occupied by debtors' cells, the second 
by the court room, and the third by cells for criminals. It was re- 
moved in 1842, wlien the present court house was erected. Mean- 
while the old court house at Orangetown was replaced by a new 
structure in 1704, the expense being borne by the "southern part of 
the county." It was subsequently destroyed by fire. 

Aside from their town and precinct officers and representatives in 
the asserid)ly, the people had no voice in the selection of their rulers. 
The sherift's held the elections for representatives and the choice 
was determined by the viva voce* vote of the freeholders, who were 
required to be twenty-one years of age, and to be possessed of 
" land or tenements improved to the value of forty pounds free from 
all incumbrances." Freeholders having property in more than one 
county, could vote in as juany counties as they had property liable to 
taxation, and for their accommodation the elections were so ordered 
that opportunity was given them to cast the full number of votes to 
which they were entitled. It could scarcely be called a representa- 
tiv(> system, so far as representative systems are understood to ex- 
press the popular will; it was more properly a property representa- 
tion under which power was given to a few persons. The districts 
were large; the population was scattered; the electiims were held at 
the "cniinty towns;" the polls were kept open several days to enable 
all to vote who might wish to do so. Where the conveniences existed 
for transit tVoiii point to point, as they did along the Hudson, a free- 
holder residing in New York was enabled to vote in half a dozen 
counties if holding property therein, while those occupying more in- 

* Until iit'tor the aduptinn of the Constitution of 1777. Voting by ballut ■was regarded 
by the framers of tliat instrument as an experiment. 



COLONIAL POLITICS. 45 



land locations were in most cases necessarily deprived of a voice in 
elections. 

Until 1699, the lieoliolders of the county were associatcid with 
those of New York in tlie selection of representatives, but were not 
obliged to visit New York in order to give their votes. Tiie sherift" 
of tlie county held the election at Orangetown, and made return to 
the sheritf of New York, who declared the result. In 1699 the county 
was given representation in the assembly. At this and subsequent 
elections until 1749, the poll was held exclusively at Orangetown, 
and those who wished Vo vote were compelled to visit that place. 
This was in part remedied by the law of 1748, by wdnch it was 
provided that, " for the time to come, all elections for representa- 
tives" should be opened, "either at the court house or some conveni- 
ent place in Orangetown; or at the court house or some convenient 
place in Croshen," and after being held for a certain time at the place 
where first opened, should be adjourned "to the other court house or 
place of election, so that all tlie freeholders may, if they please, be 
polled at such elections." * 

That the system was corrupt, especially in the earlier years of its 
administration, is a fact revealed on every page of the history of 
that period. Frauds upon the revenue pervaded all departments of 
the public service; piratical expeditions, including that of the notori- 
ous Captain Kidd, were fitted out by men high in public aftairs; land 
grants were obtained for considerations paid to the governor; there 
was nothing, apparently, that had money in it that was not prosper- 
ed by official connivance. In one instance only is it written that the 
governor's council "was ashamed to consent" to one of his grants, 
and that not because of its magnitude, but that it proposed to give 
his footman a lease for "a little island called Nutten Island," which 
had hitherto been "convenient for grazing a few coach horses and 
cows for the governor's family." f Sectarianism was the cloak for all 
kinds of peculation; to write against another at one time that he 
was a protestant, or at another that he was " a popish tailor," or simi- 
lar epithet, was the stepping stone to official promotion. Indeed it 
would seem that more modern political partisans have not learned 
much that is new, or that many who have since held official station 
have special claim to originality in methods of abusing public trusts. 

It was when this era of corruption was at his height that the peo- 
ple of Orange county appear distinctly in the politics of the prov- 
ince. Governor Bellomont, who succeeded Governor Fletcher in 



* The old story of carrying the ballot-box around the country originated in this. Un- 
fortunately for the storv there was uo ballot-box, the vote of the frecholderH being simplv 
registered. ' t Col. Hist., iv., 384, 393. 



46 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

1698, was clothed with power to correct the abuses which had grown 
up, for which purpose he was given "a negative voice in the making 
and passing of all laws, statutes, and ordinances, and could "ad- 
journ, prorogue and dissolve the assembly " whenever he deemed it 
necessary.* Issuing a warrant for the election of a new assembly, 
he cautioned the sheriffs, by wliom it was to be held, against " undue 
elections and returns;" but the latter were themselves creatures of 
the corrupt combination which had been formed, or, as the record 
states, "were for the most part men of mean rank" who "had been 
continued in their places from year to year by Governor Fletcher," 
and who, "instead of complying" with their instructions, "carried 
themselves most unfairly, in so much that one of them made return 
for a county (viz: Orange couuty) in which he suftered not any one 
freeholder to vote." f Other districts shared in the " corruption of 
the franchise " to such an extent that when the assembly convened, 
eleven of the nineteen members of which it was composed, it is said, 
"sat by controverted elections," and, having the majority, " estab- 
lished themselves and brought all things into the greatest confusion." 

Finding that nothing could be done with such a body of men, Bello- 
mont dissolved the assembly, and ordered a new election, taking care 
that Governor Fletcher's sheriffs were retired from the management. 
The result was satisfactory to him; but not to those who were de- 
feated, who complained to the king, that "the election was appointed 
to be upon the same day in all places except tlie two most remote 
counties, whereby the best freehijlders, who had estates in several 
counties, were deprived of giving their votes at several elections;" 
that "the sheriffs performed the business they were appointed for by 
admitting some for freeholders who were not so, and rejecting others 
who were really so, as they voted for or against their party, and by 
nominating and appointing inspectors of the poll who, upon any 
complaint of unfair dealing gave this general answer: 'If you are 
aggrieved, complain to my lord Bellomont,' and the same practice in 
all places gives just reason to believe the orders for it came from his 
excellency." 

" To secure a majority of such men as he desired," continues this 
remonstrance, "his lordship, without any instruction from England, 
added two to the former number, viz : one more to be chosen for the 
city and county of Albany, and one for the county of Orange, which 
last is by act of assembly made a part of the county of New York, 
and has not twenty inhabitants freeholders in it, and never before 



* Col. Hist., i., 266. 

t Stanley Handcock appears as sherift" of Orange county at this time. He was also 
sheriff of New York. 



COLONIAL POLITICS. 47 



had a distinct, representation in assembly. By this means one Abra- 
ham Gouverueur, a Dutchman, — so indigent as never to be assessed in 
the public taxes, and who, as is reasonably to be supposed, had a deed 
of some land made to him of purpose to qualify him for it, because 
he never had any land before, — was chosen an assemblyman, and is 
since made speaker of the house of representatives. This fellow 
was formerly convicted of murther and pardoned, * and soon after 
the revolution publicly declared that Jacob Leisler had carried the 
government of New York by the sword, and had the same right to it 
as King William had to the crown, having conquered the kingdom of 
England. At the meeting of the assembly it appeared, of the twen- 
ty-one representatives there were but seven Englishmen, the remain- 
der being all Dutch and of the meanest sort, half of whom do not 
understand English, wliich can conduce little to the honor of the En- 
glish interest there." f " 

Notwithstanding this bitter complaint, the assembly instituted 
some Important reforms. Grants of large tracts of land were set 
aside, the elections for I'epresentatives were regulated, and provision 
made for the severe punishment of frauds upon the revenue. Had 
Bellomont lived, perhaps more general reforms would have been se- 
cured; but his death, in 1701, was followed, after a short administra- 
tion under the council, by the appointment of Lord Cornbury, who 
not (mly restored the unscrupulous officials that had been removed 
by Bellomont. but earned for himself the "unenviable distinction of 
being the worst of all tin; governors under the Ilnglish crown." 
"Rapacious without a parallel, h(^ hesitated not," says one of his bi- 
ographers, "to apply the public nxjuey to his own private purposes; 
and though notoriously vicious, yet he was so intolerant that lie 
sought to establish the Episcopacy at all hazards, imprisoning and 
prohibiting ministers of other denominations from exercising tlieir 
functions, without his special license. He was, moreover, as desti- 
tute of gratitude, as of courtesy, injuring those most from whom he 
had received the greatest benefits. His manners were as ignoble and 
undignified as his conduct was base, and when this hopeful scion of 
royalty wandered about the streets clothed as a woman (which was 
a common practice with him) the people felt that he had taken Cali- 
gula for a model." 

But a better state of affairs was born of the excesses which Corn- 
bury committed. While at (jliour Hall, his country seat in Haver- 



* Gouverneur was attached to the administration of Governor Leisler, and was tried 
and condemned, with others, for liis participation in the resistance to Governor Slongh- 
ter, during which several of the king's troops were killed, including Captain MacGrego- 
rie. He was subsequently pardoned by the king. It is to these facts the text refers. 

t Col. Hist., iv., 621. 



48 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



straw, he surrounded himself with such men as Daniel Honan, the 
freeholders looked upon his extravag-anct; with alarm, and, throug-h 
the assembVy, refused the grants of money which he asked. The 
rights of the people with regard to taxation, to courts of law, to 
officers of the crown, were speedily asserted and increased in 
strength with the political education of the people. When Cornbury 
was succeeded by Lovelace (1709), the assembly began the contest 
that was never to cease but with independence. The crown demand- 
ed a permanent revenue, without appropriation; the assembly would 
only grant an annual revenue and appropriate it specifically. The 
power lodged in the governor to dissolve the assembl}', was invoked 
in A^ain; the people were mainl}' of one mind that they had an "in- 
herent right" to legislation, springing- "not from any conmiission or 
grant from the crown, but from the free choice and election of the 
people, who ought not, nor justly can, be divested of their property 
without their consent." In all the long struggle which followed and 
which culminated in the Avar for independence, the representatives 
of original Orange were found in the interest of freedom, and gave 
to the final issue its most consistent advocates, its most devoted 
adherents. 



LOCA TION— PHYSIOLOGY. 49 



CHAPTER IV. 

LOCATION — PHYSIOLOGY — GEOGRAPHICAL XOMEXCLATURE CLIMATE- 
GEOLOGY. 



TT^^HE county of Orang-e, erected February 23d, 1798, is located 
i between 41° 8' 8 and 41° 38' N latitude— 10' E and 43' W 
long-itude from the city of New Yt)rk. It is bounded on the south 
by Rockland county and the state of New Jersey, on the west b}'^ the 
county of Sullivan and the state of Pennsylvania, on the north by 
the county of Ulster, and on the east by Hudson's river. It is cen- 
trally distant 90 miles from Albany, and contains 838 square miles. 
The surface of the county is mountainous upon the south-east and 
north-west borders, and a rolling upland through the center. The 
Kittatenny or South mountains extend in several parallel rang'cs 
from the New Jersey line north-east to the Hudson, ending' in the 
rocky and precipitous bluflFs known as the Highlands. The Shawan- 
gunk mountains extend from the Delaware river north-east through 
the north-west cm'ner of the count3\ Among the principal ridges are 
the Warwick, Bellvale, and Rough and Sterling ranges, near the south 
border of the county, and the Schunemunk range. The extreme north- 
west corner of tlie county is occupied by the series of highlands ex- 
tending from the Delaware river into Sullivan county. The central 
portion of the county, lying between the mountain systems, is a roll- 
ing upland, broken in many places by abrupt and isolated hills and 
the deep valleys of streams. More than one-half of the entire sur- 
face of the county is susceptible of cultivation, and forms a fim; agri- 
cultural district. Along the south-west border, extending through 
several towns and into New Jersey, is a low, flat region, lying upon 
the streams, and known as the Drowned Lands. This tract, consist- 
ing of about It, 000 acres, was originally covered with water and a 
dense growth of cedars; but a large portion of it has been drained 
and reclaimed, and now forms one of the finest agricultural portions 
of the county. On the extreme north-west and forming in part the 
boundary line of the county, the river Mongaap flows south and unites 
with the Neversink. Neversink river flows south ak)ng the west 
foot of the Shawangunk mountains, and forms a tributary of tlie Dela- 
ware, the latter stream being for a short distance at this point the 



50 



GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



boundary lii^(3 of the state. The Pakadasink or Shawangnink river 
flows north ahmg- the east foot of the Shawang'unk mountains and 
forms a tributary of the Wallkill. The Wallkill or Paltz river flows 
north through near the center of the county and forms a tributary of 
the Hudson at Rondout in Ulster county. Murderer's creek, and its 
principal tributary the Otterkill, flow east through near the center of 
the county and discharge their waters into the Hudson. Wawayanda 
creek flows south into New Jersey, and re-entering the county as Po- 
chuck creek, unites with the Wallkill. Ramapo river rises in the 
south part of the county and flows south into Rockland. A number 
of small local streams furnish hydraulic power in other parts of the 
county. The principal lakes are G-reenwood, Thompson's, Mombasha 
and Orange, which with a series of smaller bodies of water, add pic- 
tuesqueness to the topog-raphy of the county. There are also swamp 
districts, in addition to the Drowned Lands, of which the Chester 
meadows have been largely reclaimed and are very productive. 

MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS. 

The Highlands are the most prominent of the mountain ranges. 
Approached from the north, to the right of the range stands the an- 
ciently so-called Butter hill, a title with which Irving embalmed it in 
his Knickerbocker History. It is now quite generally known as 
Storm-king, a title bequeathed to it by the poetic fancy of Willis, from 
the fact that for years it has served as a weather signal to the inhabi- 
tants of the immediate district. At one time a cap of fog upon its 
crown indicates the coming of rain; at another, clouds are seen rising- 
over the Shawangunk range, following its course 
north and south, separating into two parts, the 
one passing over the Warwick mountains to the 
Highlands, the other over the hills of Ulster U) 
Marlborough, and both joining as it were over 
Butter hill, i)Ouring out torrents of rain, not 
unfrequently accompanied by reverberating 
peals of thunder such as one rarely hears 
except ill similarly broken mountain ran- 
ges. The ancient Dutch navigators, no- 
ticing the latterpeculiarity, preserved a 
record of the apparently culminating 
point of tli('S(« peals in the Dunderbevf/ 
situated further south. Butter hill 
has an altitude of 1524 feet. Its 
ascent from the riv(>r front is pre- 
cipitous; on the north, however, it is 
crossed by wagon roads. cko'-nest. 




MO UNTAINS AND VALLEYS. 



51 



Cro'-nest, adjoining- Butter liill on the south, is the second peak of 
the rang-e, rising above the Hudson 1418 feet. Its modern name pre- 
serv(NS in substance its Alg-onquin title, wliich, in ancient records, is 
written Navemng, signifying- " a resort for birds." Tlie name is re-, 
tained in the Sandy Hook hig-hhmds and in the Neversink river in Sul- 
livan and Orange, the latter as well as the Hudson having- on its 
border a Cro'-nest — its orig-inal Navesing. Bear mountain is the 
third ))rincipal elevation, rising 1350 feet above the river. Mount In- 
dependence forms the back-g-round of the plateau at West Point, and 
is crowned with the crunil)ling- walls of Fort Putnam. Just below, 

in a gorg-e in 
the rocks divi- 
ding- the sites 
of forts Clin- 
ton and Mont- 
gomery, tiows 
Pt)pl open's kill 
at the mouth 
of which the 
county line 
leaves the 
Hudson and 
from thence 
passes amidst 

the hills south-westerly. In successive proximity are the elevations 
known as Black-rock and Deer hill. Ant hill, Lawyer's hill. Mount 
Rascal, and Peat, Pine, Cold and Round hills. Following- the range 
we meet Black-top, Black-cup and Long hills, the ancient Dutch Dun- 
derberg*, Torn mountain and Cape hill, Tom Jones' niount;iin and 
Hendock hill. To this may be added as objects of interest by the 
way: Kidd's Pocket-book, the Lover's Rocking-stone, the Giant's 
Haunt, the Giant's Slipper, Picnic Rock, Poised Rock, and Erlin's 
Blutf — a singular mingling of poetic and 
CiHnmonplace titles, and suggestive of 
paucit}' in proper orthologic terms. — 
The Dunderberg and Torn moinitain are 
east of the county line, and, though Ibr- 
mer residents of Orange, now grace the 
borders of Rockland. In this enumera- 
tion they serve the purpose of territorial 
monuments. The Torn forms the right shoulder of the Ramapo valley; 
its name and its appearance alike suggest the violence with which 
it was uplieaved or torn from its fellows, although in local accepta- 

04 




VIEW FROM FORT MONTGOMERY. 




TORN MOUNTAIN. 



52 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



tion "steeple" is understood to explain its title and its resemblance. 

No mountain range is so well known in Europe, nor is there one 
with which the history of our own nation is so intimately associated. 
The visitor at Westminster Abbey reads there the name of Andre; 
the story of Arnold is sown broadcast throug'h American schools — 
both point to one center: the Hig-hlands of the Hudson; the one awa- 
kening regret at the fate of the young and gifted; the other, nerving 
the hearts of thousands to love of country. Aside from its history, 
the range has an economic character. It tempers the winds of the 
sea-board, and bears upon its sheltering breast the fiercest blasts of 
many storms. Of Storm-king and Cro'-nest it has been well said, by 
a recent writer: "They have a charm that might induce a man to 
live in their shadow for no other purpose than to have them always 
before him, daj^ and night, to study their ever-changing beauty. For 
they are never twice alike; the clouds make varying pictures all day 
long on their wooded sides, and nowhere have we seen more wonder- 
ful effects of shadow and sunshine. Under the frown of a low thun- 
der-cloud they take on a grim majesty that makes their black masses 
strangely threatening and weird; one forgets to measure their height, 
and their massive, strongly-marked features, by any common stand- 
ard of every-day measurement, and they seem to overshadow all the 
scene around them, like the very rulers and ccmtrollers of the coming 
storm. And when the sunlight comes back again, they seem to have 
brought it, and to look down with a bright benignity, like giant pro- 
tectors of the valley below." 

The Shawangunk range is less broken than the Highlands. It 
continues, with but slight breaks, from near Carpenter's point on the 
Delaware to the Sullivan and Ulster line, and forms the boundary 
line between Deerpark and the towns of Greenville and Mount Hope, 
those being the only towns of the county touched by the range. The 
eastern slope is singularly uniform, and is adapted to cultivation to 
the summit; the western, is broken and precipitous, presenting peaks 
1,400 and 1,800 feet above tide. Few inland landscapes are more 
beautiful than the former. Approached from the east, the eye rests 
upon fields of grain and grass, upturned furrows, the verdure of 
waving trees, and the homes of thrifty husbandmen, spread out from 
vale to crest, from south to the far north, in unwearying panoramic 
beauty — a patchwork of gold and green, of brown and gray, of white 
and red^- 

" As though all tints 
Of gem, of bird, of flower, of cloud, of sky, 
Had met and blended in a general glow I" 

The name by which the range is known does not strictly belong to 

it. In the Indian deed to Governor Dongan, and in the subsequent 



MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS. 53 



patent to Captain John Evans, its principal divisions are given re- 
spectively the names Pitkiskaker and Aiai'kaicading. On Santhier's 
map the same divisions are called Alaskayering and Shawangunk. 
Many interpretations of the latter have been made. In Mather's 
Geology of New York, the signification is given as "the place of the 
white rocks"; the late distingnished Algonquin linguist, Henry R. 
Schoolcraft, renders it, "south mountain"; the Rev. Charles Scott, 
taking Shawavgum as the original, "south water"; anothei- from 
jewan, "swift current, or strong stream"; another Irom ^hong, "mink 
river";* and an(Hher, from chi'egaitgoitg, " the place of leeks." The 
error in all these cases, probably, is in regarding the term as descrip- 
tive of a specific place or physical attribute, rather than as a generic 
phrase. All writers who have examined the subject are aware that 
Indian geographical terms are of two classes: general or generic, 
and specific or local, and are so compounded as to present in a single 
expression a complex idea, or several ideas among which there is a 
natural connection. In specific names the combination may be simple, 
as Coxsackie — co, object, and acke, land; in others intricate, as Magh- 
aghkemek, in which ackr, land, is buried in cons(jnants and qualifying 
terms. The terminal of a word materially aids but does not govern 
its translation. Uk ov unk indicates "place of" in a specific sense, 
as in Moh?<n^, — ong, "place of" in a more general sense, as in 
Warranawonko?)g', the place or territory of the clan of that name, — 
ik, irk, eck, or uk, denotes rocks or stones,— acA" or avke, land, — ing 
or ivk, something in which numbers are presented, as "the place 
of birds," — a/.s, iie.<, oh, aun, denote a single small object or place, as 
Minnisai'.s, a small island — a number of islands, Minnismgr or ink, — 
ixh, eesh, oosh, or sh, indicates a bad or faulty quality, — co is object; 
at, at or near. In some cases tliese r(X)t terms are tiirown into the 
body of the word, as in Maghagkemek, Aiaskawasting, etc. General 
terms have no positive reference to the physiology of the districts 
of country to which they are applied. Wairayanda is of this class, 
and also the term or jihrase we are considering, which is preserved in 
two forms: the Dutch Shawangunk, and the English Ghaxvangong — the 
first, in translated records of the Esopus war (1663), and the second 
in English deeds twenty years later but practically cotemporaneous 
with the first; the latter is known to be correctly written; the former 
may perhaps correspond with the accepted modern orthography rather 
than with the original Dutch. While regarding Chawangong as the 
most pleasant, and while as a rule the English rendering of all 
Algonquin terms is the most correct, the only material difference in 
this case is in the terminal — the one indicating a specific place; the 
* " Shongham" is the local Dutch, and is adopted in Silliman's Journal. 



54 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

other, place or territory in a general sense. In the connection in 
whicli they are used we may, however, accept them, and also Shaican, 
Ghmvan, and Shimnin, as equivalent terms varied by dialect, and so 
acceptini;- them the interpretation is as plain as that of any word in 
the English language, viz: "the place or territory of the white man." 
This interpretation and no other harmonizes with historical facts. 
In no case does it appear that tlie term was used or known to the 
Dutch until qftei- they had conquered tlie district, which then became, 
under Indian law, the place or territory of the conquerors — literally, 
"the place of the white man." In the ti'eaty of peace (1663), and in 
its subsequent renewal (1665), this recognition is distinctly made. 
In tlie latter instrument the boundaries of the conquered territory 
are defined as a certain "parcel of land, lying and being to the west 
and south-west of a certain creek or river called by the name of 
Kahanksen, and so up to the head thereof where the old fort was, 
and so with a direct line from thence through the woods and across 
the meadows to the Great Hill lying and being to tlie west and south- 
west thereof, which Great Hill is to be the true west or south-west 
bounds of the said lands, and the said creek called Kahanksen the 
north or north-west bounds of the said lands." This was the original 
Shawangunk of the Dutch — a district embracing many specific Indian 
localities, the names of none of which were subordinated or disturbed 
by the phrase under which tlie conquered admitted that part of their 
territory had become " the place of the white man." That the term 
has, strictly speaking, been improperly extended to mountain, river, 
meadow, etc., may be conceded, yet for its history, its poetry, and 
its orthology, we may well consent to let it forever rest upon Pitkis- 
kaker and Aiaskawastin"-. 

The Schunemunk range is appropriately described as "the high 
hills to the west of the Highlands." It extends from north-east to 
south-west, and is, divided longitudinally principally by the boundary 
line of Monroe and Blooming-Grove, with a p(n"tion on the north-east 
in the town of Cornwall. It was the original dividing line between 
the Wawayanda and Cliesekook patents, and also one of the monii- 
ments in tiie line of the Evans patent. Its name appears in several 
forms. In the deed to Governor Dongan (1684), one of the lines of 
his purchase is described as running " north-west along a hill called 
Skoonnenoghky\" * in another paper of the same period it is called 
Skonnemoghky; in a deed to Joseph Sackett (1727), the property is 
described as being on the " south side of a high hill called Skone- 
mugh; in a deed to Edward Blagg (1726) it is spoken of as Schiina- 
mock hill. It will be observed that the prevailing orthogi-aphy down 

* Ante p. 22. 



MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS. 



55 




to tlio Blag-g- deed contains sko, the Algonquin generic term for fire, 
and tiiat tlie terminal indicates a certain place. From this analysis, 
without considering no, 7ia, ne, in the body of the word (signifying 
excellent), we have the literal interpretation, "fire place," the refer- 
^-.-^^^ ence being (as in Skootag, now 

-''■^'^E-, 'fl "^^^ ^ Schodac,) to the principal cas- 

tle or palisaded village of the 
clan owning the land. This 
castle stood on the north spur 
of the range. At the time of 
,the sale it was occupied by 
Maringoman and his pe(jple, 
and was kiK)wn and called 
Maringoman's castle, to dis- 
tinguish it from the wigwam 
in which he subsequently lived, 
which was situated in Hamp- 
tonburgh on the point formed 
MARINGOMAN'S cA.sTLE. ]^y ^j^j, juuctioii of CromeHnc 

creek and the Otterkill. Tlie latter is a land-mark in the boundaries 
of several patents issued subsequent to the Evans. 

North of Schunemunk is Muchattoes hill, extending north and south 
in the towns of New Windsor and Newburgh. Its name is Algon- 
quin — muhk, black; at, near or by; oes, small — signifying literally, 
" a small black hill near the river." 

West of Schunemunk is Woodcock hill, now so known, but called 
Winegtekonk in the patent to Sir John Ashurst, (1709), and Wenigh- 
konk'm the patent to Edward Blagg (1726). The present name re- 
quires no explanation, although a reasonable apology for its retention 
appears to be necessary. 

From Woodcock hill south-west are a series of elevations in the 
following order: Round hill, in shape like an inverted bowl; Mos- 
quito hill, a jagged elevation; Rainer's hill; Pedler's hill; Tom rocks, 
which are more rocky than mountainous and rise in two separate 
peaks to an elevation of about two hundred feet above the surround- 
ing country; Lazy hill, whose gradual slopes, it is presumed, sug- 
gested its name; and Goose-pond mountain. 

At this point rise what are known as the Bellvale mountains; con- 
necting peaks continue the line to the Sterling mountains on the 
south, the Rough 'mountains and Southfield mountains on the east, 
and the Warwick mountains on the south-west; on the north-west are 
the Taylor mountains. Round hill, Rocky hill, and Pochuck mountain, 
filling out the south-east and south-west borders of the county with a 



56 



GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 




SUGAR-LOAF MOUNTAIN. 



battlement of mountainous elevations. * Pochuck neck and Pochuck 
mountain intrude upon the drowned lands. Pochuck is of course Al- 
g-onquin corrupted; po should he pogh as in the original of Rainapo, 
Poug-hkeepsie, etc.; tick, as in Mahicanituk, signifying "large areas of 
land and water" — a name most certainly misapplied to the mountain. 
Further north, in Warwick, are Mount Adam and Mount Eve, con- 
joined — the former mucli the highest, the latter much the hmgest — 

which spring- up from the bottom 
lands and the rolling- g-lades sur- 
rt)unding them and are pictur- 
esque in all their phases. Direct- 
ly east, in Chester, is Sugar-loaf 
mountain, which, when seen from 
the north, resembles a sug-ar-loaf; 
hence its name. Its northern as- 
cent is quite gradual, its southern 
broken and precipitous. With its 
adjacent hills it is the apex from which the country descends to the 
north and to the soutli. It is, therefore, a very prominent ol)ject for a 
great distance on either side. North-west from Sugar-loaf is Mount 
Lookout, the principal elevation in the town of Goshen, where both 
hills and stones are the exception. 

Scattered through the county are minor elevations: the Comfort 
hills, on the line between Montgomery and Crawford; Pea hill. Pine 
hill, and Sloop hill, in Cornwall; Three-mile hill, and Mount Joy, in 
Wallkill; Rough ridge, and Forge hill, in New Windsor; King's hill, 
in Newburgh; Jogee hill, in Minnisink, etc., the latter perpetuating 
in its name the name and residence of Keghgckapoivell alias Joghem, 
one of the grantors of the lands included in the Evans patent. In 
Deerpark, Mount William and Point Peter form prominent and attrac- 
tive features of the village of Port Jervis. 

The valleys of the county are not less numerous than its mountains 
and streams. That portion of Deerpark bordering on the Delaware 
is but a narrow and irregular valley broken by mountains and tribu- 
taries of the Delaware. The valley of the Neversink and Basha's 
kill comprises the main portion of the valuable and cultivated lands 
of the town of Deerpark. These together are sometimes called the 
Huguenot valley, from the early Huguenot settlers who reclaimed it 
from the Indians; those portions along the Basha and Pine f kills were 

* The principal elevations in Wanvick are Hogback, Decker, One Pine, and Pine and 
Hull's hills, on the east; Bill and Coxcomb hills, in the center; Lonjj, Cedar, Pond, and 
Bill \\hite's hills, in the south-east; Round, Rocky, and Chuck's hills in the south; Po- 
chuck mountain, and Green and Adney's hills in" the west; and Mount Adam and Eve 
and Round hiU in the north-west. 

t An affluent of Basha's kill in Mamakating, Sullivan county. 



MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS. 57 



long' known as the Peenpack valley — a name corrupted from Ne.epe- 
vack, the orig'inal western boundary of the Swart wont patent. — 
The Wallkill valley widens out on either side of the Wallkill. It is 
of singular beauty and fertility, and is properly classed among the 
finest bottom-lands of the state. The valley of the Shawangunk kill 
is narrow and crooked. To the east of the valley of the Wallkill 
is that of the Otterkill, which for miles runs approximately parallel 
with the former, but suddenly turns to the east, and, through a wind- 
ing course amid the hills, reaches the Hudson above the Highlands. 
Throughout this valley, says a recent writer, the hills approach and 
retire in singular fantasy, affording wide alluvial flats and pent up 
gorges, gradual slopes, and steep declivities, hither and thither. At 
Salisbury it narrows to a gorge of rocks, and nearer its mouth 
assumes, in pictures(]ueness and beauty, the poetic name (by Willis) 
of Moodna valley. Cromeline valley, through which Cromeline creek 
passes, has its head in the far east of Warwick, from whence it fol- 
lows the tortuous course of the stream from which it takes its name 
until it reaches its junction with the valley of the Otterkill, present- 
ing throughout scenes wild and beautiful, a surface varied from plain 
to mountain, a soil from rich t(j poor, smooth to broken and precipi- 
tous. Sugar-loaf valley runs from the mountain of that name to 
Wickham's pond, and from thence a devious course to the village of 
Warwick, with hills and mountains, vales and headlands intersecting; 
from Warwick its course continues south and west until it passes out 
of the state. Bellvale valley, or the lower valley of Warwick, extends 
from the immediate vicinity of the village of Warwick southerly to 
Greenwood lake and the Sussex, N. J., clove. It is an especially rich 
farming section. The valleys of most of the small streams have more 
or less local celebrity. That of the Arackhook or Tinn Brock has many 
patches of beauty, while that of the Quassaick, near its confluence with 
the Hudson, has passed into history under the title of " The Vale." 

The principal cloves — so called from the Saxon word cleopan, "to 
split asunder," and meaning " valley " literally — are known as Blagg's 
clove, in Blooming-Grove, between the Schunemunk and Woodcock 
mountains; Woodbury clove, in Cornwall and Monroe, between the 
Schunemunk and the Highlands, now traversed by the Newburgh 
and New York (Short-cut) rail-road, and Smith's clove, extending 
from Highland Mills to the Ramapo valley. Smith's clove has fame 
in revolutionai'y history from its occupancy by portions of the Ameri- 
can army, and as the birthplace of chief-justice William Smith; of 
his brother, Joshua Hett Smith,* whose name is associated with that 



* " A place called Smith's clove, a valley which took its name from my family, as pos- 
sessing a greater part of the land it contained, as well as around its vicinity." — J. H. 
Smith's Narralwe. 



58 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

of Arnold in the treason at West I'oint, and also of the locally noto- 
rious Claudius Smith and his tM]ually notorious sons. What rcdation- 
ship Claudius sustained to the eliief-justiee and to Joshua, it may not 
be w»dl to inciuire; * it is sullit-ient tn know that in their devotion to 
the mother (•nniilry they rit'hly earned the name of tory, and that 
their olVcnses :i<;-ainst their whiu' neii;-hl)ors ditU>red oidy in degree. 

Tortuous eloves IVom Lons;- and I'oplopen's ptnids, converg-ing to the 
soutii IVom Hhu'k-top mountain and Cat hollow, give character to 
Forest of Dean, far depresseil lten(>ath Bear mountain, where, from the 
south. Two-pond vaUey intersects and thence diverges to the north- 
east and reaches tiie Hudson, lorming a succession of vales where 
mountain dills and jagged rocks occupy the foreground, and abrupt 
declivities and liroken valh-ys till the picture. To the south of Black- 
rock hill lies Kagle valley — so called iVoin local tradition describing 
it as tlie resort of the " king of birds " — through which, descending 
as rocks and hills permit, in crooked course to the Hudson, the waters 
from Bog-meadow pcuid chant their music and linally dash over the 
rocks in Ibaming spray forming the " Boter melck val " of the early 
Dutch skippers — the Buttermilk Falls of our times. Po])lopen's val- 
ley — through which passes the waters of Toplopen's creek, the outlet 
of Poplopen's and other mountain ponds — is similarly constituted. Its 
name is apparcuitly IVom that of a highland chieftain whose rude castle 
once crowned one of the adjacent hilltops. The valley of the Ramapo, 
the largest of the mountain passes, continues Smith's clove to the 
Hudson. The term Ramapo was, it is assumed, originally given to 
the entire district as one of " many ponds." The original orthogra- 
phy, Ramxpook ox Iiamapogh,ho\\v ver, indicates "a river into which 
empties a mnnber of ponds," the application being specific to the river. 

POXns, STREAMS, ETC. 

Few districts of country are so bountifully supplied with ponds 
and streams as that embraced in the county of Orange. On hilltops 
(U- in valleys, dashing over rocks, winding through cultivated lields, 
lying in repose, or chained to the service of man in the forge, the 
factory, or the mill, they are not only a source of wealth but beautify 
the landscape. The lak(> system of the county begins in the northern 
part iA' the Highlands in Cornwall, I'ontinues through the towns of 
Highlands and Moiu-oe, culminates in Warwick in that beautiful 
sheet of water known as Greenwood lake, and from thence west and 
north appears in inland reservoirs of various sizes. Cornwall has 
one pond, Sutherland's; Bog-meadow pond. Round pond. No. 1, Long 
pond, and Cranberry pond, No. 1, are in Highlands; P(-)plopen's pond, 



* Tho livttor, in his Niivrative, states that a brdthor of hia, whose name he does not 
give, resided in tlie Clove " about three miles out iif the inaiu road." 



PONDS, STREAMS, ETC. 59 



Bull or Agnol's pond (also called Wood lake), Summit lake, Two ponds 
or Twin ponds (upper and lower). Slaughter's pond. Cranberry pond. 
No. 2, Greenwood pond, Hazzard's pond, Round pond. No. 2, Mom- 
basha pond, Cedar pond, No. 1, Truxedo or Duck-cedar pond. Round- 
island pond. Little Long pond. No. 1, Little Long- pond. No. 2, Gi'een 
pond, Car pond, Spruce pond, and Nigger pond, are in Monroe; Wick- 
liain's pond, Sterlipg lake. Cedar pond. No. 2, and Greenwood lake, 
are in Warwick; Thompson's pond, on the line between Warwick and 
Chester; Binnenwater or Maretange pond, in Greenville; Washington 
lake, in New^ Windsor; Orange lake, in Newbuigh; Big pond, and 
Little pond, in Deerpark; and Round pond. No. 3, in Wawayanda. 

Sutherland'^ pond, in Cornwall, lies under the shadow of Bhick-rock 
hill, south-west from Cro'-nest, and is about half a mile long. Its 
name — like that of otliers in the series which will be recognized with- 
out special notice — is that of an individual owner. Its outlet runs 
west and south "and unites with Murderer's creek, after furnishing the 
falls that are seen near the Cornwall mineral spring. 

Bog-meadow pond, the first in the town of Highlands, lies south-west 
from Black-rock hill. It covers about three hundred acres of land, 
and has a depth of some twenty-five feet. Its outlet dashes over 
the rocks at Buttermilk Falls and reaches the Hudson. Round povd, 
No. 1, and Long pond are north-west from Highland Falls. The 
former is more elevated than the latter, into which its waters flow; 
the outlet of the latter unites with Poplopen's creek. The waters of 
Round pond, in making connection with Long pond, flow under a 
natural bridge, the breadth of winch is fifty feet, and its length, up 
and down stream, seventy-five or eighty feet. It is used as a bridge, 
and one may ride over it without being aware of it. There is no 
daylight under it. The stream on the upper side passes into a cave 
and is lost to sight until it emerges from another cave on the other 
side. Willis describes it as " a massive porch, cijvering the last stair 
of a staircase by which a cascading stream descends into a mountain 
lake." It diflc'rs in situation only, however, from the subterranean 
passage of the outlet of Washington lake in New Windsor. Cran- 
berry pond. No. 1, is in the south part of the town and south-west 
from Fort Montgomery. 

Poplopen's jiond, in the north-east part of the town, and Bull or 
Agnel's pond, its neighbor on the south-west, are the first of the 
Monroe series, and lie north-west from Forest of Dean. Their waters 
flow to Poplopen's creek. Summit Jake, Two ponds, Slaughter's pond, 
Cranberry pond. No. 2, Greenwood or Echo pond, Bound pond, No. 2, 
Green pond, and Car pond, lie in a chain south-south-west from Poplo- 
pen's; Cedar pond and Little Long pond, No, 1, are east, and Spruce 



60 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

and Truxedo ponds west of the chain line; Nigger pond is in the 
extreme southern part of the town. The waters of Two ponds flow 
to Pophjpen's creek; those of Summit lake, Slaughter's, Cranberry, 
No. 2, Greenwood, and Round, No. 2, are united for the use of 
Greenwood furnace and from thence flow to the Ramapo; Little Long 
pond, No. 1, and Cedar pond, No. 1, send their waters into Rock- 
land county and there unite with the Ramapo, while those of Green, 
Car, Spruce, Truxedo and Nigger ponds unite with the same stream 
in Orange. Slaughter's pond is about one mile and a half long and 
half a mile wide, and Cedar and Little Long ponds are of nearly the 
same size. Truxedo pond is two miles long, north and south. Green- 
wood, Green, Car, Spruce and Nigger ponds are small. Round pond, 
No. 2, or Little Round pond, more nearly resembles a vast moat than 
a pond, as a circular wooded island nearly fills its circumference. In 
most cases the names of these ponds require no explanation; but of 
Truxedo it may be remarked that it is apparently a corruption of 
Truxillo, while the surname, "Duck-cedar," is a misnomer. Hazzard's 
pond, in the north part of the town and west from Poplopen's, is about 
half a mile in diameter. Its outlet, Woodbury creek, furnishes power 
to the Highland Mills; flows thence north through Woodbury clove, 
and unites with Murderer's creek. Round-island pond — so named from 
a round island in it called Chestnut — lies south-west from Hazzard's 
and near the line of Blooming-Grove. It is about a quarter of a 
mile wide and three-quarters of a mile long, and is the head of the 
Ramapo river. Little Long pond, No. 2, is nearly south from Round- 
island and near the Chester line. It is about one mile long and a 
quarter of a mile wide. Its outlet furnishes part of the head waters 
of Cromeline creek. Momhasha pond is in the west part of the town, 
near Warwick. It is from one and a half to two miles in diameter, 
and contains two or three islands. Its outlet flows north-east and 
thence south passing the Southtield works, furnishing power for 
mills and forges. Its name is presumed to be a corruption of Mom- 
baccu.% "the place of death" — the reference apparently being to a 
burial ground or a battle field. 

The Warwick series begin with Sterling lake, in the south-east, 
covering about sixty acres of land. At its outlet was established, in 
1751, by Ward & Colton, the Sterling Iron-works, which have been 
continued since that time. Genl. William Alexander,' Lord Sterling, 
was interested in the works prior to the Revolution, and from him the 
works and the lake take their name. The outlet of the lake flows into 
New Jersey. Cedar pond, No. 2,* lying south-east, unites its waters 

* The figures inserted after the names of ponds are to distinguish them from others 
of the same name, of which there are several in the county. The poverty of the lan- 
guage is so great that the donors of these names were probably forced to repetition. 



PONDS, STREAMS, ETC. 61 



with the waters of Sterling' lake above Sterling' works. Wickham'H 
pond, in the north, covers an area of about eighty-tive acres. Its 
outlet is a tributary of Wawayanda creek. Greenwood lake is the 
largest body of water in the town or county. It is about nine miles 
long and one mile wide; extends into New .Jersey, and is us(k1 as a 
feeder for the Morris canal. Its original name, Long pond, although 
descriptive of its shape, was long enough in use; its present title is 
the offspring of more cultivated taste. 

Thompiion's pond is in the north-west part of Warwick, east of 
Florida, and extends into Chester. It covers an area of about one 
hundred acres. Its outlet furnishes power for grist and saw mills 
and is a tributary of Quaker creek. It has recently been re-christen- 
ed and is now entered on the map Glenmere lake, tliough why "lake" 
should be added is not clear. " Glen" is a depression between hills; 
"mere," a pool or lake. 

Binnenwater, in Greenville, covers about fifty acres, and sends its 
waters to Rutger's creek. It lies about two miles southerly frimi the 
village of Mount Hope, about one and one-half miles south-east from 
Finch ville, and about one mile south from the boundary line between 
Mount Hope and Greenville.* At one time it was an important land- 
mark, constituting the south-west corner of the Evans patent and the 
south-east line of the Minnisink. Half a century or more later a new 
line was established for the Evans patent further east, the Minnisink 
angle formed, and the pond excluded from the boundary. In the deed 
to Governor Dongan it is described as "a water pond called Mare- 
tange"; in the patent to Evans it is called Merchary; on Sauthier's 
map, Maretang, — from the German " merche," "mericha," an aquatic 
plant of the genus hippuris vulgarHs, having silicious jointed stems. 
The present name is German; its correct orthography is Bmnemvasfter 
(one word), signifying "inland water." The original title should be 
restored to the maps of the county for its historic associations, or at 
least coupled with its more modern name. 

Round pond, in Wawayanda, is emphatically round. It lies in the 
south part of the town near Gardnerville, and is about one mile in 
circumference. It is clear and I'resh, very deep, indeed reputedly 
bottomless, and has no visible outlet or inlet. 

Big ]Mnd, in Deerpark, is about one mile long and half a mile wide. 
Its outlet, known as Shingle kill, passes south and enters the Dela- 
ware at Honesville. Little pond, in the same town, lies south-east from 
Big pond, and is about one quarter of a mile in diameter. Its outlet 
passes south and forms Old-dam brook, a tributary of the Neversink. 



* This line is the old east and west line of the original counties of Orange and Ulster. 
New Windsor and Cornwall are also divided by this line. 



62 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

Wai^hinglon lake, in New Windsor, covers seventy-six acres, or, in- 
cluding overflowed swamp, one hundred and seven acres. Its outlet, 
for some distance, is subterraneous, disappearing at the Swallow-hole 
and emerging at the Trout-hole — a fall of forty feet. The Newburgh 
Water-works take its waters. For years it was known as Little 
pond, and is still so caMed by many. 

Orange lake, in Newburgh, covers some four hundred acres of land, 
and is quite deep in places. At different times it lias been known as 
Binneuwasser (by the Germans), Moose's pond, Machin's pond (from 
Captain Thomas Machin), and Big pond, the latter giving place to its 
present title. The Algonquin name was QusHuk — now rendered 
Quassaick and applied to its outlet. It is fed by two small streams 
in addition to strong springs in its bed. 'YUv mill owners on its 
outlet use it as a reservoir, and during the most severe droughts the 
supply has never been exhausted. 

Tiie whole county is remarkably rich in the lacustrine and marsh 
alluvions; indeed, they are more abundant than in any other county 
in the state, there being probably forty thousand acres.* The prin- 
cipal districts are the Drowned lands, the Gray-court meadows. Big- 
swamp in Newburgh, Great swamp in New Windsor, Long swamp in 
Warwick, Tamarack and Purgatory swamps in Hamptonburgh, Cedar 
swamp in Goshen and Warwick, Pakadasink swamp in Greenville, 
Grassy swamp in Deerpark, Pine swamp in Crawford, Barton's swamp 
in Cornwall, and the Black meadows in Chester and Warwick. 

The Droxoned lands extend from the Chechunk outlet in Goshen, 
through Warwick, Wawayanda, and Minnisink, into New Jersej^ and 
cover in the towns named about seventeen thousand aci*es. They are 
full of islands of great fertility; some of them of considerable area. 
Their names are Pine, Great, Pellet's, Gardner's, Merritt's, Cranberry, 
Black-walnut, Fox, and Seward. An arm of the lands, known as Cedar 
sivamp, extends east to near Orange farm in Goshen. Quaker creek 
passes through this arm on the north, and mounts Adam and Eve 
adjoin it on the south. The reclamation of the lands has been gradual 
and is mainly effected by an outlet, constructed many years ago, by 
which a rocky ridge in the bed of the Wallkill was avoided. This 
outlet has worn its way through the soil until from a simple ditch it 
has come to contain the principal flow from the lands. Pocluick creek, 
Rutger's creek, Quaker creek, and the Wallkill, pass through the 
lands, the latter for their entire distance in this county. The Abo- 
riginal name of the district may well have been Pochuck — " a large 
area of land and water." It is presumed, however, that the Indians 
had no general name, but gave specific titles to different portions of 

* Beach's "Cornwall," 175. 



PONDS, STREAMS, ETC. 



63 




GRAY-COURT MEADOWS. 



the tract, of which Pochuck and Woerawin only have been preserved. 
The latter appears in a deed to Dr. Samuel Staats, in 1703, for a tract 
not located but described as having been found on examination to be 
"altogether a swamp." The inference from the term itself, however, 
is that "many good lands" were intended to be conveyed — probably 
the islands already named, which then appeared to be worthless. 
The Gray-court meadoivi^ extend from near Craigville, in Blooming- 
Grove, into the northern 
part of Chester, and em- 
brace about five hundred 
acres. They are now main- 
ly under cultivation and 
very fertile. Their name 
is that originally given 
by Daniel Cromeline to his 
tract in the first division 
of the VVawayanda pat- 
ent,* of which they are a 
part. Cromeline creek 
passes through and drains these meadows. 

The Black vieadoios extend through Chester on the north-west and 
into Warwick east of Thompson's pond. They embrace an area of 
one thousand acres, through which runs the Black-meadow creek. 

The Lovg svnmp, in Warwick, south-west from Edenville, covers 
about one thousand acres, and is drained from the south into New 
Jersey. 

The Tamarack and Purgatory swamps, in Hamptonburgh, are of 
considerable extent, and are drained by a small sluggish stream. 
The latter is represented as having been originally a dismal swamp, 
from which fact Mr. Peter Bull, its owner, gave the name, bestowing 
at the same time upon his own residence that of Paradise.j* 

The GraHi^y swamp, in Deerpark, extends from Sullivan county to 
the Mongaup. It is a low, wet swamp, overgrown with long, coarse 
grass. Grassy-swamp brook passes through it. 

The Big swamp, in Newburgh, takes its name from Big pond (Or- 
ange lake), which it adjt)ins. It stretches from the Ulster county line 
lo the lake, and was probably originally an extension of the lake to 
the north as well as south of its present borders, which, if all under 
water, would add three times to its present length. Bushfield creek 
passes through the swamp to the lake. 



* Three of the original divisions of the patent retain the names bestowed by their pro- 
prietors, viz: Goshen, Warwiclt, and Gray-court. It is perhaps needless to say that the 
story of an inn, a sign, and a court, is pure fiction. 

t Eager's Orange County, 511. 



64 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

The Great >fioamp, in New Windsor, lies in the north-west part of 
tlie town, near Coldenham. The Araekhook or Tinn Broek i)asses 
throu,i;'h it. 

Tile Fi)ie swamp, in Crawford, lies east of Hopewell. Two other 
swamps are found in the town, one north-west from the Sinsabaug-h 
neia,'hborhooil, and oiu' south-east from Searsbnrgh. The hitter is 
drained by a small stream Howing- north to the Dwaas kill. 

The Fak-adasink' swamp, in Greenville (on the lands of Isaac M. 
Seybolt and others), is the head of the Big- Pakadasink or Shawan- 
o-unk kill, as that stream was formerly known and described. The 
Little Binnenwater swamp, also in Greenville, lies directly south from 
the village i)f Mount Hope. A small stream flows from it south- 
westerly and connects with the outlet of Binnenwater pond, the 
latter uniting with Rutger's creek. 

The Barton sicavip, in Cornwall, is inconsiderable in size, compared 
with the others named. Peat of a fair quality is taken from it. 

Marl and peat beds are found in several localities, from which por- 
tions and in some cases entire skeletons of the Mastodon have been 
exhumed. The lirst exhumation of record was in 1794, the second in 
1800, the third in 1803, the fourth in 1805, the tifth in 1838, the sixth 
in 1844, the seventh iij 1845, the eighth in the same year, the ninth in 
1872. The skeleton of 1845, exhumed from a marl bed near Colden- 
ham, was complete and weighed 1995 pounds. It is now in the 
Boston mnseiun. * The one exhumed in 1872, in the town of Mount 
Hope, was also complete. Its weight was about 1700 jiounds. It is 
now in tlii' New Haven museum. 

The boundary streams of the county are the Hudson on the north- 
east, the Delaware and Mongaup on the west, atid the Shawangunk 
on the north-west. Of the tirst, the Hudson, it is not necessary to 
speak. Its aboriginal name, Mahicanituk, was tiiat of a particular 
division rather than of the entire streaiu. The principal harbor on it, 
within what may be called the waters of Orange county, is at Ncav- 
burgh where it expands into a bay one mile and a quarter in width 
sheltered by the Highlands from " all winds save an east-north-east 
wind," as Hudson wrote in 1609. For the convenience of com- 
merce, principal landing places or wharves have been established at 
Newburgh, Cornwall, and West Point, and for more local trade at 
Hampton, New Windsor, Cozzens', Fort Montgomery, etc. The water- 
front of the city of Newburgh is without a rival on the river, the 
chann(d being abrupt and the depth anq:)le to tloat tiie largest vessels. 

The Delaware, on the west, touches the county for only a short dis- 
tance. Like the Hudson, it had no general aborig-inal name — Lenape- 

* Eager's Orange County, 71. 



PONDS, STREAMS, ETC. 65 



wihifuk being' applied U) it at Philadelphia, while above and below 
Port Jervis it was known and called by the Indians Minnmng — lite- 
rally " a ri%'er of islands." * Beyond rafting it has no commerce at 
this point, and is crossed by rail-road and foot bridg-es. 

The Mongaup river, the dividing line between Orang-e and Sullivan, 
is properly in Sullivan county, the line of Orarlge running' "to" and 
"along" its course. Mr. Qninlan, in his "History of Sullivan Coun- 
ty," says it was originally known as the Min-gap-ach-ka. Mongawp- 
ing or Mingwing, is better authenticated — implying a plurality of 
streams, comprehending the three branches of vvhicli it is composed. 
Its present name, as already stated, is presumed to be Dutch. It 
appears in the early records, Mongaap. f 

The Shawangimk kill, on the north-west, has its head in Pakadasink 
swamp in the town of Greenville, passes through the town of Mount 
Hope, and upon the line between Ulster and Orange, running a north- 
east course to the Wallkill, in Ulster county. Its present name has 
already been explained. Like other streams — and, it may be said, all 
streams, mountains, etc., — it had no general name, but was specifi- 
cally divided, Achsinink being recorded in one locality, and Pakada- 
sink in another. In the deed to Governor Dongan it is described as 
"the river called Peakadasink," and in the act of 1762, dividing Wall- 
kill precinct, | the line is described as extending "to the Pakadasink 
river or Sliawangunk kill." In another paper of nearly the same 
date it is said, as well understood evidence: "Nothing could more 
plainly point out where that pond lies (Maretange,) than the river 
Pakadasink, which takes its rise opposite to the said pond and ex- 
tends along the foot of the said hills from a place called Pokanasink, 
and from that place to the head of the said river, and no where else 
the said river is called by that name." How the river lost a name so 
well established is explained by the papers relating to the bounds 
of the Minnisink patent. Having succeeded in spreading their line, 
the proprietors of that patent found it necessary to obliterate its old 
land-marks. A general change of names ensued; Maretange pond 
was located on Sam's Point; the Big and Little Pakadasink kills (the 
latter now called the Little Shatvangunk kill,) were shifted to the same 
vicinity, and to make the whole apparently and entirely consistent 
two small streams in Crawford received the names respectively of 
Big and Little Pakadasink, that it might not be missed in its ancient 
neighborhood. The original name contains equivalents signifying 



* Minnis and Minsis are two entirely different words — the first signifying island, the 
second wolf. Some writers confuse the terms and give the latter as the derivative of 
Minnisink. The explanatory tradition that either name originated from the breaking 
through of the waters at the Delaware Water-Gap, is not well founded. 

t Ante p. 41. % Ante p. 39. 



66 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

"swamps," and beings generic may be applied wherever the corres- 
ponding- topography exists.* 

The principal streams passing through or entirely included in the 
county are tlu^ Neversink, the Wallkill, the Otterkill or Murderer's 
cre(>k, and the Ramapo. Tiie Neversink receives its head waters from 
ni)rth-western Ulster and northern Sullivan. It runs sontli and south- 
east into the town of Deerpark to near Cuddebackville, and thence 
turns south and south-west until it joins the Delaware near Carpen- 
ter's point, where it is al)out two hundred feet wide. It is a never- 
failing stream. Its name has been explained in another connection. 
Its principal tributaries are Bashaws kill and Old-dam brook (Ouwe-dam 
kil). The former rises in Sullivan county, and is about seventy feet 
wide. Its name is said to be irom an Indian s(iuaw-sachem called 
Basha Bashiba, who liv(>d on its banks near Westbrookville.f OUl- 
dam brook is the outlet ol' Little pond. Its name is from an old datn 
erected upon it by Indians or beavers, which caused its waters to 
overflow a large tract of land. About half a mile above its junction 
with the Neversink, it falls over six hnndred feet in the course of a 
mile, and is called Fall brook. 

The Wallkill rises in Wantage, Sussex county, New Jersey, flows 
through the drowned lands into Orange where it forms the dividing 
line between Warwick and Minnisink, Goshen and Wawayanda, 
Hamptonburgh ami Wallkill, passes through the town of Montgom- 
ery into Ulster county, and thence to the Hudson river at Rondout. 
Its course is north-east; the plane of elevation upon which it runs 
being from Sussex county in New Jersey, descending gradually to 
near Esopus in Ulster. It is a durable stream, and furnishes exten- 
sive hydraulic power throughout its course. Its current is not rapid, 
except at Walden, where it passes over a fall of about forty feet. | 
Its aboriginal name is not known, but the presumption is in favor of 
Warranawonkong. Its present name is unquestionably from the 
Huguenots or Walloons who settled New Faltz, it being repeatedly 
entered in the records as "the Walls or Faltz river." § Its principal 



* It will be observed by those familiar with the district that the topography in this case 
corresponds almost precisely. It is not assumed that the name is in itself iiiiproperly ap- 
plied to its present locations; it is strictly correct. 

t Quinlan's History of Sullivan County, 423. In the Swartwout patent it is called 
the Assawaghkemeck, from " wassa," light or foaming, and " eck," rocks — hterally the 
" light waters," reference being made to the fall. " Basha's kil "" is Dutch. 

J The fall at Walden was called Hasdisch by the Indians— a term in which " dangerous " 
is expressed. 

§ The explanation of the origin of the name by Eev. James R. Wilson, D. D. (Eager's 
Orange County, 276), is fully sustained by the records discovered since he wrote. 

It may be added, that although now written Wallkill, the name is strictly two words, 
watte and kU. In this work the local orthography has been followed in Wallkill. Otterkill, 
etc., as being too firmly established to suffer correction. The word " creek," applied to 
a stream of water, is quite as incorrect as " kill;" yet Webster admits its use to be estab- 
lished "in some American States.'' 



PONDS, STREAMS, ETC. 67 



are the Lonji^-house -Wavvayanda -Warwick - Pochuck creek, (Quaker 
creek, Rut,n-ers' creek, Tiiiii Brock, McCorlin's kill, Muddy kill, and 
Dwaars kill. Loiuj-liouse creel' rises in New Jersey and runs north 
until it receives the outlet of Wickhain's pond; from thence it forms 
the Wawayanda or Worivick creek, and flows south-west through the 
villag'e of Warwick into New Jersey, where it becoines Fochuck creek, 
returns to the county and unites its waters with th<^ Wallkill in the; 
drowned lands. The names which it bears are explained in other 
connections with tlu; exception of " Ijoiii^-house," the Euro{)ean title 
for the peculiar dwellinf^s which the Indians occupied, one of which 
stood u|)on its !)auks.* Quaker creek has its [)rincipal head in Thomp- 
son's [Ktnd. It Hows west; lorms the boundary line best ween Goshen 
and Warwick; i-eeeives several small tributary streams, and unites 
with the VV^allkill in the (Irowned lauds. Eulgers^ creek has its ex- 
treme western head in the town of (Jreenville; Hows thence south- 
easterly to Watciloo Mills, in Minnisiid<; tlienc(Miorth-east to Rutgers' 
Pl.'ice, where it unites with its northern head. Tiie latter rises in 
Wallkill; flows thence south to Millshnrgh, receiving in its course the 
outlet of Binnenwater pond and Binnenwater swani|), and Boudiiiot's 
and Tunkamoes ("small stream") creeks, in Wawayanda and Minnis- 
ink. From Millsbnrgh it is the boundary line between Wawayanda 
and Minnisiidv. It enteis the Wallkill at Merritt's island, lis name 
is from Anthony Rutgers, f one of the proprietors of tlx' Wawayanda. 
patent, from whom also llutgers' Place (the residence oi' the hite Dr. 
M. II. dash,) lakes its name. Pxmdinot's creek, | its largest ailluent, 
flows tlirough (jreenville to tlie sontii-east corner of Mount IIoi)e; 
thence south-east to its junction in Wawayanda. j1foiih(u/eii creek 
Hows sunlii-eiisl through Middlelown ;ind enters the VV^illkill norlii- 
east from New Ibimplon. It is now the source fmni whicli Middle- 
town is supplied with w;iter. Mc(!or/ui\^ kifi, or Mc Near i< kill ,^ rises 
in (Crawford, Hows south, passes tlii-ough Meelianictown and enters 
the Wallkill one mile and a inilf above Stony-ford binlge. JJwaavH 



* ThoHo dwellings were forniod by Ioiik, slendc^r hickory sa|)lingH set in tlut frroiind in a 
•striiight Line of two rows, as far asunder an they intended tlie width to he, and eoiitin- 
ned as fai- as they intended the len^^th to he. The ])oles were then bent forward in the 
form of an arch and secured to<,'ether, giving the appearance of a garden arhor. Sijlit 
poles were then lashed to th<^ sides and roof, and over thes(! bark was jilaced. Karely ex- 
ceeding twenty feet in width, these dwellings were sometimes six hundred and fifty feet 
long, and were occupied by an inditiiiite number of families. 

t Tliere is not tln^ slightest foundation lor the statement (Eager 418) that Rutgers "is 
an English <;orru])ti()n of llutkys, the Indian name." 'J'he latter is a corruption of the 
former, and a very bald one. llutgers was nu^mber t)f the Assembly 172G-"27. 

X Mr. Eager enters the name " ISandegot." It now appears on tlu^ maps " Indigot." The 
correct orthography is Boudinot, from P'Jias Boudinot, a proprietor of the Wawayanda pat- 
ent. Boudinot would not have deemed it possible his name could ho so transi)os(!d. 

§ Mr. Eager (346) gives the name "Mccormick's kill," and (354) "McCorhn's kill." 
The latter has been entered on the maps of the county. We are informed that the stream 
was known, years ago, as " McNeal's kill," from John McNeal who had a grist mill on it 
as early probably as 1760. McCorhn is a mythical person. 

05 



gg GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



Ml has its rise in the town of Wallkill, flows north-east through 
Crawford, and enters the Wallkill in Ulster county. Its name is 
Dutch (originally Dwaars stroom), and means "a stream that runs 
across " or unites " with another." * The Tinn Brock was called by 
the Indians Arackhook, or Akhgook, the Algonquin term for snake, the 
reference no doubt being to its extremely sinuous course, which re- 
sembles the contortions of a snake when thrown upon a fire. Its 
present name is from the Saxon words Thynne, " thin or small," and 
Broc, "running water less than a river" — a small brook. It rises in 
New Windsor, south of Coldenham, runs north and west and enters 
the Wallkill half a mile below Walden. Muddy kill (Dutch, Modder 
kil — literally, Muddy kill,) flows from the eastern slope of the Com- 
fort hills and runs south to the Wallkill above Montgomery. The 
mischievous chorographer now writes its name " Mother kill." 

The Otterkill rises in the north part of Chester, and passes through 
the East Division of Goshen into Hamptonburgh, where it was called 
Denn creek, f from Christopher Denn, one of the proprietors of the Wa- 
wayanda patent. At La Grange it flows upon nearly the same level 
with the Wallkill, the two streams being within a mile of each other 
at this point. Through Hamptonl)urgh it runs around the base of the 
hills in the form of a half circle; thence into Blooming-Grove, and in a 
serpentine course through Washingtonville to Salisbury Mills, where, 
meeting the mountain ledges, it passes over a fall into a deep chasm 
which it follows through rocks and crags and continues to the Hudson. 
Its name is presumed to have been bestowed from the otters which 
were found in it at the early settlement of the county. Its largest 
tributaries are: Cromeline creek. Goldsmith creek, Colemantown creek, 
Beaver-dam creek, Schunemunk creek, Woodbury creek, and Canter- 
bury brook. Cromtiine creek receives its principal head waters from 
Little Long pond No. 2, in Monroe; flows thence through Chester and 
the western part of Blooming-Grove to its junction with the Otterkill 
in the north-west part of the latter town. Schunemunk creek rises in 
the south-east part of Blooming-Grove; flows north-west and north- 
east around the hills, and joins the Otterkill above Washingtonville. 
On sonu^ maps it is called Satterly's creek. Woodbury creek has 
its principal h(>a(l in Hazzard's pond, in Monroe. It receives the 
outlet of Sutherland's pond; flows north-east through Woodbury clove, 
and enters the Otterkill at Orr's Mills, in Cornwall. Canterbury brook 



* " The Dwaars stroom unites with or flows across the Wallkill ; hence the name indi- 
cates that fact or circumstance, and becomes the characteristic of the river."— Dr. E. B. 
O'Callaghan. The tradition given by Eager (334), that the name is from an Indian chief, 
has no other foundation than the possibility that there was an Indian nicknamed Dwass. 

tThc following from the Mapes' deed (1727) estabhshed the earlv use of both titles: 
"Lymg on the west side of the Otterkill, known as the Dennekill." ' The latter may well 
be preserved as a memorial of the first settler on the Wawayanda patent. 



PONDS, STREAMS, ETC. 69 



rises in the Cornwall Highlands; flows north-east through the village 
of Canterbury, and enters the Otterkill (under the name of Idlewild 
brook,) near the Hudson. Goldsmith creek rises in Little Britain and 
runs south to the Otterkill above Washingtonville; Col em an town creek 
also flows south and enters above the same place. Beaver-dam creek 
rises in Montgomery, and passes south througli low meadows from 
near Goodwill church to its junction at Campbell Hall. Its head 
water is a spring of several yards in diameter and of unknown 
depth; its name is from an old beaver dam* near Campbell Hall. 
From its junction with Cromeline creek east to the Hudson, the Otter- 
kill looses its name and is called Murderer^s creek and the Moodna, 
the latter a Willisian designation. To the early Dutch traders it was 
known as the " Waoraneck;" subsequently, as the " Martelaer's rack 
creek;" after 1656, as "the Murderer's creek." It is assumed by some 
writers that the latter was derived from its immediately preceding 
title, signifying a baffling, struggling reach or course in the navi- 
gation of the Hudson, bounded on the north by this creek and on the 
south by Martelaer's rock, opposite West Point; by others, that it was 
bestowed as a memorial of some act of hostility by the Waoranecks 
during the early Indian wars; but superior, in local estimation, to 
philology fir probal)ility, is the explanation given by Paulding in his* 
beautiful tradition of Naoman, his faitlifulness and his fate, pointing 
unwaveringly to Maringonian as the author of a horrid massacre. f 

Qii ai<,Ha irk creek \H composed of the outlet of Orange lake and of 
the Fostertown and Tent Stone Meadow creeks. It Hows south- 
easterly through the western part of the town of Newburgh and 
forms the boundary line between the city of Newburgh and the town 
of New Windsor. Its name (Quassaick) signifies stony brook. Its 
water power is very durable and is largely employed. Fodertoion 
creek rises in Ulster county, and flows southerly through the central 
part of the town of Newburgh. It is called Fostertown creek until 
it reaches Gidneytown, when it takes the latter name. Tent Stone 
Meadow creek rises in a large swamp in Ulster county, known many 
■years ago as the Tent Stone Meadow. It flows southerly and empties 
into the Quassaick at the Powder Mills. Bfishfield creek, one of the 
feeders of Orange lake, and necessarily of Quassaick creek, rises in 



* From the remains of the flams which they constructed, the streams of the county 
apparently abounded in beavers at the time of the discovery, though now extinct. 

t " In ancient Dutch days it was Ivnown as The Martelaer's Back, or Martyr's Reach. 
The Dutch navigators divided the river into reaches, to which they gave descriptive 
names. They found here (West Point) a rocky point nearly at right angles with the 
current, and, when sailing with a fair west wind, encountered, on passing it, the wind 
" dead ahead,'' compelling them to beat or struggle with it. Hence the name Martelaer, 
signifying contending or struggling. The tradition which converts the name into a memo- 
rial of deeds of violence, on the part of the Indians, is entirely worthless." — J. J. MoneWs 
Hand-book. 



70 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



a swamp in Ulster county, known as the Stone Dam Meadow. Its 
orig^iiial name was Beaver-dam creek. 

The Ramapo river has its head in Round-island pond in Monroe, and 
flows thence southerly through Ramapo valley into Rockland county. 
Tt receives the outlets of thirteen of th(> mountain ponds already 
named: Round-island, Sunnnit, Slaughter's, Cranberry No. 2, Green- 
wood, Round, liittle long, Cedar, Green, Car, Spruce, Truxedo, and 
Nigger. It enters the Passaic river near romi)ton })]uins, N. J. 
There is no stream in the world like it. 

Poplopen\'< creek is composed of tlie outlets of Poplopen's, Round 
No. 1, Long, Hull, Cranberry No. 1, and Two pontls. Its course is 
south-east to tlie Hudson. QHeeyishorougli hronk and Sicl'hosfcn'x hill 
(now i-allcd Stony brook) are its tributaries. 

The tril)Mtari(>s of the Hudson, aside from those already named, are 
small streams principally in Newl)urgh. The NemrHiiik and the 
Shingle kill tlow into the Delaware in Dt'erpark — the former at Car- 
penter's point,* and the latter at Honesville. Grassy-swamp brook, in 
the same town, unites with the Mongaup; the latter unites with the 
Delawart! about six miles northerly from Carpenter's point. The 
LiUle Shawangank kill, and the liig and LiUle Pakadasink are tributa- 
•ries of the Shawangunk. One branch of the former rises half a mile 
easterly from the village of A[ount Ho])e, and is met, about a mile east 
from that village, by a branch from the town of Wallkill; tlows thence 
through tlie town north-easterly until it strikes the line of the town of 
Wallkill; thence north-west to its junction with the Shawanguidv in 
the latter town. \i was originally known as the "Little Pakada- 
sink," as has been already stated. The present Big Pakadasink and 
Little Pakadasink are in the town of Crawford, and flow north to the 
Shawangunk. Li the Crawford dialect they are called the Big and 
the Little " Paugh-caugh-naugh-sing," the most prolix orthograjthy of 
the original name on nn-ord. 

The islands of th(> Hudson lying opposite the lines of the county 
are: Poleher's, now called I'lillopel's; Afartelaer's rock, now Constitu- 
tion, and 3raiiah.(iiraghkiii, now called lona. Though not under the 
jurisdiction of the comily, llieir position in its waterscaiie entitles 
them to rticognition in its topogiiiphy. 

ei.lMATK. 

Newbnrgh is in 41 (leg. 80 niin. iiortii latitude, and is elevated 150 
leel aliove tide-water. I'^'oni oliservatioiis made for thirteen succes- 
sive years, the mean temperature has been found to l)e 50 deg. 10 



* A point of land mado by the junction of the Neversinlc and tlio Delaware rivers, just 
south of PortJiTvis. The Tri-States Koc-k, marking the boundarv between New York, 
New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, is on this point. 



CLIMA TE- GEOL G Y. 71 



mill, rjoslicii, situated in liitiliulc 41 dcg'. 20 iiiiii., uiid elevated 425 
feet above tide-water, oliserviitioiis made lur ei,t;"lit years show a mean 
tem|)eratnre of 49 <lejj,'. 1(5 iiiin. Dillerence l)etvve<'n Ne\vl)iir<:,li iind 
(loslien, *.)4 minutes. At Newl)nru;'li the period between IVosts, thoiin'ii 
Viiriidde, has been known to be troin the 5th of May to the 2IMh of 
September — 140 (lays. At (Josheii frosts h;i\'e been noticed as late 
as the 1st of Jiifie, and ;is early as the 20tii of September-Ill days. 
Diiference between periods of frost, 85 days. At Newbiirg'h the 
sinulbnsh liloomed April 24tii, the |)eac]i vVpril 23<1, the |)liim May 1st, 
tile cherry April 27th, the iijiple May Gtli; stravvdierries ripened June 
loth; liayiii<j,' coiiiiiienced .Inly 4tli; wheat harvest commenced -Inly 
17th; tlie first killing- frost Septemlier 29tli, At (josheii the shadbush 
bloomed April 27th, the peach April 28th, the plum May 4th, the cherry 
April 29tli, and the ;ip|>le May 9tli; haying commenced .July 8th; the 
wheat harvest July 21st; the tirst killing frost September 20th. The 
observations made at Newburg-li show the temperature of the eastern 
part of the county; while those made at Goshen may be ap|)lied to 
the central. On the eastern slope of the Shawang-unk range, re})re- 
senting- the western part of the county, the teinperatui'C! is from two 
to four degrees less than at Ncwburgh; at the top of the range full 
five degrees less. 

The temperature of the eastern and southern portions of the county 
is affected in some degree by the shelter afforded in the mountain 
riinges; the former also by the tides of the Hudson. The Highlands, 
for many years exempt from taxation by reason of their unfitness for 
cultivation, are an incalculable advantage to Ncwburgh, New Wind- 
sor and Cornwall; they effectually break the force of all winds save 
from the east-north-east. Thousands of invalids rnaj"^ be found in those 
towns, as permanent residents or as boarders, brought thither by this 
peculiarity in situation. The poet N. P. Willis, from his experience 
of twenty years as a consumptive, found no language too strong in 
which to commend the hygienic virtues of the Highlands. The entire 
mountain system of the county has more or less effect on its climate. 
In the economy of nature, currents of air gather around the ranges; 
are forced upward to a lower temperature, and precipitation ensues, 
while the atmospheric condensation produces a local heat beyond the 
natural temperature. For this reason most of the chwes are more 
temperate than their elevation and latitude would otherwise warrant; 
those opening toward the south especially so. 



GKOLOGY, ETC 



* 



Probably no county in the state presents more interesting geological 
features than Orange. The rocks of the Highlands are granite, gneiss 
■* Horton's and Mather's Surveys consulted. 



72 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

and sienite, with veins i»f trap. Tlic central portions of the county 
are occupied with strata of Ilauiilton shales, Helderberg limestones 
and g-rit, Medina sandstone, and the gray sandstones, all extending- 
from tlie north-east to the south-west, from the east foot of the Sha- 
wangunk mountains. The rocks which compose the Shawangunk 
mountains are the shales and the sandstones of the Chemung g-roup. 
The red shales and grits of the Catskill g-roup are seen at the falls of 
the Shingle kill in Deerpark. The Erie division are found from the 
Delaware river, along the west side of Mamakating hollow. Some of 
the rocks of this division, near Port Jervis, are upturned at a high 
angle; others, toward Cuddebackville and Ellenville, are more indu- 
rated and seem almost trappean. The geological series descend 
south-west to the primary rocks of the Pochuck mountains. The 
Helderberg division extends through the county, on the Mamakating 
valley, by CuddebackvilU' to Carpenter's point on the Delaware. — 
The limestones of this division are all uitturned, often at a xevy high 
angle, in the town oi' Deerpark, where they form a range of low 
mountains, rising from the level of the Neversink to half the eleva- 
tion of the Shawangunk. A limestone, containing fossils of this 
division, is also found in the town of Cornwall, between the village 
of Canterbury and Salisbury Mills. Its position is between the slate 
and grit rock; its dip is to the south-east. 

The Shawangunk grit of the Ontario division extends on the top of 
the Shawangunk mountains from New Jersey to near Kingston. The 
thickness of these grits vary from sixty to one hundred and fifty feet. 
They have been used as millstones, known as " Esopus millstones." * 
A pyritous grit, in the form of boulders, is scattered over the county. 
Rocks similar in character to the Shawangunk grit, and the interstra- 
tified and overlaying red rocks, extend from the Jersey line on the west 
side of Greenwood lake north-east to Canterbury in Cornwall. They 
are also found at Pine hill. This hill is primitive, and here the grit 
rock inclines against it and rests upon it. The grit rock is reg'ularly 
stratified, and dips to the south-east; is of all colors from white to 
red. It extends from Round hill four miles, to Woodcock moun- 
tain. It is also found in the south-east base of Schunemunk, inter- 
stratified with graywacke and slate; also at Pine hill. Here the rock 
is red, and can be cpiarried in blocks suitable for building. The Bell- 
vale mountains, in Warwick, on the south-east side, are composed of 
graywacke; also the Schunemunk in Blooming-Grove, the Goose pond 
mountain and the Sugar-loaf. Quarries of blue and red stone abound 
in Schunemunk and Pine hill. 



* Tlicso millstones were the first that were quarried in the province, and were regarded 
as superior to those imported from EiU'ope. 



OEOLOGY-^ROCKS. 73 



In the Cliarnplaiii division is the " Hndson river series — slate 
group" — whicli consists of slates, shales, grits, limestones, breccias, 
and conglomerates — sometimes designated as graywacke slate, gray- 
wacke shale, graywacke, and slaty graywacke. They contain facets 
and testacea, of which a few are seen at the falls (jf the Walikill near 
Walden, at Orange lake, and at Sugar-loaf. The Hnds(Mi river group 
of rocks occupy a large extent of the surface of the county. Its 
general direction is north-east and south-west. Its dip is uniform to 
the south-east, in some places 30 degrees, in others nearly vertical. 
It extends from the Hudson river through Warwick to the Jersey line, 
and on the west side of the Walikill, from New Jersey to Ulster 
county; and in all this range there is no rock resting upon it. It 
forms the bank (»f the Hudscjii river from Cornwall Landing to four 
miles above Newburgli, and it is always seen stratified with gray- 
wacke and graywacke slate. In this form it is found at Walden, 
below Montgomery, in Mount Hope, at Newburgli and toward Hamp- 
ton. In the town of Warwick, near the Jersey line, it forms a cunei- 
form termination, the limestone surrounding it on both sides. From 
this the argillite widens into an elevated ridge of rich land, called 
Long Ridge, which extends into Goshen. It forms the surface rock 
of most of Goshen, Blooming-Grove, parts of Cornwall, New Windsor, 
Newburgh, Montgomery, Hamptonburgh, Crawford, Walikill, and in 
Mount Hope and Minnisink, quite to the top of the Shawangunk 
mountains. The Utica slate is found on the banks of the Hudson 
above Newburgh. It is of dark color, and in some places black, and 
highly carbonaceous. 

The Trenton limestone is found near Mount Lookout; also in the 
town of Hamptonburgh, where it is full of the fossil shells of the very 
early periods of animal life. In that neighborhood it is called the 
" Neelytown limestone." Black river limestone is found a few miles 
from Goshen, Mount Lookout being entirely composed of it. It is also 
found on Big island in the drowned lands, on Pochuck neck, and in 
Minnisink west of the drowned lands. A blue limestone, sometimes 
sparry and checkered, commences on the bank of the Hudson at 
Hampton; it is about one mile in width north-west and south-east, 
and passes south-westerly through Newburgh into New Windsor, 
disappearing in the vicinity of Washington lake. The elevated point 
of this rock at Hampton is in the vicinity of the Dans Kammer. It is 
also found east of Salisbury Mills in Cornwall, and is visible through 
Blooming-Grove and Warwick to the state line; also in the north part 
of Monroe north of Greenwood furnace, and extends south-west to 
near Greenwood lake; also in Cornwall near Ketcham's mill, and in 
Goshen two and a half miles from the village, extending from the 



74 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

Wallkill south-west to Glennunc. The western edge of this bed uii- 
derhiys the diowned hinds, and passes ak)ng: the north-western margin 
(.t the \vliit<' limestone of Warwick; liere it divides into two branches 
on each side of the primitive rock, and passes into New Jersey. This 
limestone also interlocks with the argillite ridg-es, as at near Goshen. 
Limestone of the oolitic character is found on Big island, near New 
Milford, and on Pochuck neck. The edges of that found in some oi' 
tile perpendicular clitfs at the latter place are exposed in layers one 
above the othei; some are of tiie usual ciiaracter; otiu'rs are oolitic, 
but the round granules are bluish white quartz; others slaty, approach- 
ing the calciferous state, and others are of a ribbon-like appearance. 

Below the New York transition system lies the " Taconic system," 
(M)nsisting of slates, limestones, and granular quartz rocks. Slate 
rocks of this system are found four miles north of NewbTirgh, near a 
small hill of granitt' rock. Tlie limestone between the Highlands and 
(Joose pond mountain, and also about Bellvale, belong to this system. 
Metamori)hic rocks consist of limestoni's that are granular, dolomi- 
tized, and stratilied, color white, blue, and red; of slates that are 
talcose, argillaceous, micaceous, and hornblende; and of sandstones 
that are changed to granular (puirtz rocks, eurite, and gneiss. In 
their several deposits all the changes from the gray and blue lime- 
stone are traced into the perfect cr3\stallized limestone, containing 
the various crystallized minerals, which give them their metamorphic 
character. There is a white limestone of this variety ranging from 
mounts Adam and Eve in Warwick, to Andover in New Jersey. It 
is developed in a sxiccession of narrow ridges of only a few rods in 
width, and is separated by masses of other rocks, of granite, sienite, 
and granular quartz. Hornblende rock and augite are scattered all 
around. This white limestone is rarely stratified, and in some places 
runs into the blue and gray limestone, which is fossiliferous in some 
instances and oolitic in others. The white limestone forms the shore 
of the drowned lands at Amity. In some localities it is snow white, 
translucent, and compact, like Parian marble. Plumbago and mica 
are found in it, and also a great variety of minerals. North-east of 
the Amity church, on a small knoll, are ibund calcareous spar, rhomb 
spar, yellow hrucite, xanthite, talc, black and ruby spinelle, cocolite. 
About one mih" south-west of Amity is specular iron ore and serpen- 
tine; veins of scapolite are found south-west of this place, and about 
a mile north tiie limestone is lillod with brucite of various colors, 
magnetic oxide of iron, hornblende, and serpentine. At the south 
base of Mount Eve, in an old mine hole, tine crystals of green and 
l)rown hornblende are found. At another place is a vein of arsenical 
iron. Tiie sami' kind of limestone is found near Fort Montgomery, in 



GEOL G Y—MINERAM. 75 



the Hij«;liliiiids (in the g'orgc through which the creek passes into the 
Hudson), at or near P^jrest of Dean; thence it is traced by way of 
Litth' Round pond toward Greenwood furnace, and across tlu^ Rarnapo. 
It is also seen soutli-west of (^iieensboroug-h furnace, in limited extent. 
These beds also contain the minerals above named. 

I'lie primary rocks of the county consist of g-neiss and hornblende 
granite, sienite, limestone, serpentine, aug'ite, and trappean. Among- 
these rocks there are no continuous ridges of mountains oi" more than 
a few miles in length, in consequence of the interruptions caused by 
the dislocations and the lateral upheavals of masses of the strata. 
Ridge succeeds ridge, each of wliich runs out and diminishes until 
it disappears below the rocks of a more recent origin. 

The })rimitive rocks extend from Butter hill to Fort Montgomery, 
thence along the line of the county to New Jersey, thence to Pochuck 
mountain, embracing a large part of the towns of Warwick, Monroe, 
Highlands, and Cornwall; part of New Windsor, Newburgh, Bloom- 
ing-(irrove, and the south part of Ooshen. Woodcock mountain, 
Round hill, Pedler hill, Goose-pond mountain, Sugar-loaf, and Sugar- 
loaf mate. Brimstone hill, Muchattoes hill. Mount Adam, Mount Eve, 
and Pochuck moimtain, are composed of this series. 

Granite is found at the foot of Butter hill suitable for quarrying. 
Sienite at West Point, on the east side of Bear mountain, and at the 
base of Butter hill. Gneiss abounds in all the Highlands, and has 
been quarried at Butter hill, Cro'-nest, West Point, Buttermilk Falls, 
and between that and Fort Montgomery. Mica slate, or micaceous 
gneiss, is found one mile north of Fort Montgomery, and at the foot 
of Cro'-nest. Augite rock is found between West Point and Round 
pond; also in Monroe, south of Cedar pond; near Slaughter's pond, 
Green pond, and Mombasha pond, and near the O'Neil, Forshee, 
Clove, Rich and Forest of Dean mines. Greenstone trap is found 
near Truxedo pond. Granular greenstone is found at Cro'-nest and 
at Butter hill. Hornblende rock ig found in large strata, and quartz 
rock is in every hill and mountain of the Highlands. In the town 
of Monroe is a bed of the latter four rods wide rising fifteen feet 
above the gneiss on each side. Serpentine is found at the O'Neil 
and at the Fijrshee mine, and there is a large bed of it in the 
town of Warwick. Crystallized serpentine is also found in Warwick 
in the white limestone. Scapolite is found at Amity; also, blende of 
minute, red, brilliant prisms, with adamantine lustre. Yellow garnet 
is found at Edenville. A species u{ soapston(; is found at the Clove 
mine in Monroe; magnetic pyrites, mica, and hornblende, at the Rich 
iron mine. Large sheets of mica are found south-west of the Forshee 
rnine. In the latter mine is found beautifid red garnet, brown tremo- 



76 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

line, cocolitc, and nuibcr. The O'Neil mine abounds with a great 
variety oi' bcuiUif'ul minerals, among which are crystallized magnetic 
ore of great brilliancy and beauty, magnetic pyrites, copper pyrites, 
carbonate of cojiper, sei'pentine, amiantlius, asbestos, brown spar, 
rhombic spar, angite, cocolite, feKlspar, and mica. 

West of the village of Canterbury is a bed of hematite ore, cm the late 
Townsend farm. Two beds of arsenical iron are found in Warwick: 
one in a vein near Mount Adam, and the other near Edenville. The 
latter contains arsenical pyrites of a white silver color, in connection 
with arsenic, sulphur, and iron; also red oxide of iron. This vein is 
connected with the white limestone. An ore of titanium is also found 
in Warwick, associated witii augite and scapolite. An ore of cerium 
occurs near Fort Montgomery. 

The primitive rocks of the Highlands abound in ore of the magnetic 
oxide oi' iron. The granite gneiss more generally contain it in layers 
liaving the lines and bearing of the rock. At West Point the on> is 
associated with hornblende. Meek's mine, Kronkite's mine. Round 
Pond mine, P\)rest of Dean mine. Long mine, Patterson mine, Moun- 
tain mine and a group of mines around it, and Crossway mine, all 
abound in this ore, of rich quality. A bed of titaniferous iron ore is 
located on the east side of Bear hill ; magnetic ore at the lower land- 
ing at Fort Montgomery, mixed with the sulphuret of iron; also at the 
place called Queensborough ore bed, within a mile or two of Queens- 
borough furnace. In several localities of the Shawangunk grits are 
found veins of lead. Beds of lead ore have been opened at Edenville, 
and also in the towns of Deerpark and Mount Hope.* Zinc ore has 
also been found, exceeding in (piality the lead. A copper mine was 
opened near Otisville in 1866, and worked for about a year, show- 
ing good ore but in small quantities. 

The mines which have been opened in the beds described, and some 
of which have been named in other connections, are: The Sterling- 
mine, in Monroe, opened in 1781.t Its ore is very sound and strong, 
and has been much used for cannon. Part of its ore is bare, and part 
of it slightly ccjvered with soil and rocks. It embraces a suri'ace of 
about thirty acres. One and a half miles south-west of the Sterling- 
is the Belcher mine, supposed to be a pi-olongation of the Sterling 
mine. Long mine and Red mine are further south; the ores of the 



* The principal lead mines that have been opened are in Mount Hope and Deerpark. 
They are known as the Erie, at Guyniard; the Wallkill, two and a half miles north-oast 
of Gnyniard; the Champion, Washington, Mammoth, Mount Hope and Central. Of 
these but two, the Erie and the Wallkill, have over been extensively worked. The lead 
of the Erie mine is argentiferous, and at times the yield of silver pays running expenses, 
leaving the lead a clear profit. The works are within a few rods of the Erie railroad. 

t The Sterling Iron-works wore estabhshed in 1751. This mine was discovered in 1780 
and opened in 1781. The works are now connected with the Erie road by a branch from 
Sterling Junction. 



OEOL G Y~ MINES. 



77 



latter are mag-netic and full of pyrites. East of Sterling- pond is the 
Mountain mine, the Crossvvay mine, and the Patterson mine. About 






Mountain 



// # ..iiri^ 



Pqiterson 
Miue 



^ 



# 





.<m\im\\\\\\\\\\ii,,''^ 

#VA\llJI.7//A„iniililili////..,'^"""' 



^^^^^l||j|,\\N^\\Wlli;/////^,:'-''''''"'V 



^miiii^^ 



a mile south of the village of Monroe is the Clove mine, the ore of 
whicli is magnetic, granular, and compact; a portion of it soft, in a 
black powder, and can be taken out with a sliovel. South-east of the 
Clove is the O'Neil mine, in the midst of granitic gneiss and sienite. 
Half a mile south-west of this is the Forshee mine, permeating the 
whole hill upon which it is located. About five miles south-east of 
Monroe is the Rich mine, the ore of which is strongly magnetic, rich, 
and abundant. The Smith mine is between Cro'-nest and Butter hill; 
its ore is a native magnet; it has not been worked of late years. The 
Townsend mine of hematite ore is in Cornwall, about two miles and a 
half west from Canterbury. Its ore is lean but makes excellent iron. 
It is mostly in powder or small fragments, mixed with balls of the 
hematite of a few pounds weight. Forest of Dean mine was open- 
ed as early probably as 1761. It lies west from Fort Montgomery. 
The Queensborough* mine lies south from Forest of Dean; it has not 
been worked to any extent. Greenwood mine, in Monroe, lies north 
of the Erie road. Its yield is consumed by Greenwood furnace. 

Traditions of lead, tin, silver, and even gold mines, in the High- 
lands, ai'e quite prevalent, while on the Schunemunk range and in 



* Queensborough mine takes its name from a tract of 1437 acres granted to Gabriel and 
William Ludlow, Oct. 18, 1731, and to which they gave the name. The name is now fre- 
quently but wrongly written Queen8?J«ry/,— the suffix should be bot'ough, signifying in 
its application, Queen's hill. 



7S GENERAL IIISTOHY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

otluM- |)l;ic('s tlic carl'oiKicrdUs slates lia\(" lu'cii |»r('tt_v tli(>i(Ui,<;lily cx- 
amiiifd IVoiii prcsiinicd iiulicatioiis ol' \('iiis ol' coal. 'Plic early Euro- 
ueaii adveiilui-ers e\ ideiitly made a very ediiiplete exaiiiiiialioii of the 
entire dislriel in the impe <•!' strikin<;- tlie preeions ores. Some mag-- 
nilii't'nl ina,<;-netie j)yriles, however, was their only ri'ward, as it has 
been ol" e(|naliy san^'nine Init inoic recent seareliers. 

'Hie soils of the county vaiy with the <j,'(>oloj;-it-al features of the 
ditVerent secti(Uis. The district known as the i)rimai-y, in most o\' its 
hiii'her tdexations, is not susceptilde of cidtivation, owini;- to the rou>;'h 
and luoken state of the surface and the naked character of the rotdcs. 
At the base of the lli.^hlamls are out-cropiuni;- hills, and tiie surface, 
thouj;"h broken, is jirtiductive and in many instance's presents l>eanti- 
ful farms. In the district of the Hudson system of slates and lime- 
stones, thouii'li irre<i,'idar and bi'oken, its slaty or shaly Innls and 
sandstone and limestone I'ov'ks furnish a soil favorable to the j^-rowtii 
of >;-rain and g'rass. Above thi' llig'hlands this district divei-<;-es from 
the river to the south-west (|uite into the state of New dersey. No 
part rises into mountains, yet there are steep blulVs, but not hig-her 
than three hundretl feet. West of this lies the l>elt of land to the 
Shawani;'uidv mountains, stretching" across the county from Crawford 
to the Jersey line, in which the soil partakes of the grits and shales 
of this serii's, giving peculiar features and ([ualities to the surface. 

In this connection it may be remarked, tli;it the most striking fea- 
ture ol' the Shawangunk range, as presented to the eye, is tlu" fact 
that the surface ol" its eastern or south-eastern slope bears abundant 
evidence that the great glacial or ice agv witnessed the i)assage from 
it of an enormous glacier, which ground up the rocks until the soil 
was produced which is now so highly cultivated, while its western or 
north-western slopes remain rocky and untillable, bearing* nothing 
but forest trees and minerals. This jteculiarity exists in the range 
even beyoml the limits of the county; and tlu^ glacier marks, so plain- 
ly visible, alVord a means of Judging of the kind o\' plow that dugout 
the beds and vallevs of the Wallkill and the Shawangunk kill. 

Throughout the county the existiMice of large masses of boulders, 
till' origin of whitdi can only be referred to distant places, furnishes 
evidence that in many sections the soil has been the result of drift 
deposits. Below the c'\{\ of Newburgh, the drift bed, containing boul- 
ders and pi'bbles that are scratched, overlies the abraded rocks, and 
is in turn overlaid by clay beds, sand and gravel in regular courses. 
Houlders, erratic blocks, and scratched rocks, abound on the High- 
lands. The boulders are formed mostly of granite and gneiss; occa- 
sionallv one of gravwai'ke, showing unmistakablv its transportation 
from a great distance; their accompanying friable deposits now en- 



GEOLOGY- SOILS. 



79 



enrich tl)e niouiitaiii cloves. Aside from tlieir contributions to the 
soil, many t>f the drift deposits are valuable — th(> sand, lor casting;- or 
inonldini>', smoothing and rubbing stones used in lithography, blotting 
sand, and for mortar and glass; the clays, for pottery and brick. 

The soil of the plateau adjoining the Hudson, forming a semi-circle 
from the Highlands to the Dans Kanuner, is gravelly, sandy, clayey 




• THE PLATEAU AT CORNWALL. 

— a mixture foiiiiing a. warm and fertile loam. The surface rises 
gradually to Orange lake; thence descends to the Wallkili. The 
soil of tiic Wallkili valley is peculiarly rich and fertile. Much of 
it is alluvium, intermingle(l with clay, sand, and gravel. In the 
town of VV^allkill tlu- soil is more tliversitied; in some places it is 
clayey and of no great depth above the rock; in othei's gravelly, and 
again sandy and (devated. 'fhrough (Joslien and Wai'wick it |>artakes 
more of clay and sand loam,' with slight intervals of gravid. Approx- 
imating the state line, the primitive formations of Mount Adam, Mount 
Eve, and I'ociiuck mountain change the constituents, but <lo not de- 
tract from its fertility. Some of the most rich and productive soils 
in the couidy are found in the islands of the (Ii'owikmI lands. West 
of tlie Wallkili valley the soil is alfet-ted in its (Minstituents by the 
Shawanguid< laiige of mountains, and is generally a clayey loam, 
well a(la{)tA'd b) grass. In some [)arts it becomes slaty and warm; in 
others it is slialy and covered with fragments of" roidvs. In Deerjiark 
is a range of soil, lirouglit down from the adjacent hills and upper 
country, that is very fertile and easy of cultivation; and, though it has 
l>een under the plow nearly two centuries, it still ranks with the most 
productive lands of tlie stati'. TIk' valley of the Otterkill is a sandy 
and grav(dly loam, {)artly alluvial. 



80 GENEBAL HISTORY OF OB ANGE COUNTY. 



CHAPTER V. 

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR — WAR OF THE REVOLUTION WARS OF 

THE REPUBLIC. 



WHILE tlic pioneer settlements of tlie district now embraced in 
tlie county of Orange were at all times exposed to the vicissi- 
tudes of frontier life, two epochs in their history are especially mark- 
ed: the first, their participation in the Indian war of 1755; the second, 
their participation in the war of the Revolution. The former was 
auxiliary to the French in the last conflict which they maintained with 
the English for the supremacy of tlie North American continent; the 
latter, the rebellion of the colonies against the governincnt of Eng- 
land, resulting, through the aid of France, in their establishment as 
an independent nation. To what extent the Indians of the Delaware 
river country (the ancient Lenapes and 3Iinsis) were employed by the 
agents of France in the former, in its earlier stages, cannot be defi- 
nitely stated. Independent of French influence, however, \\\v tribes 
engaged in it had impelling grievances to adjust. They had sohl 
their lands to William Penn, who, perhaps under the expectation of 
arranging the boundaries himself to the satisfaction of the grantors, 
had drawn a deed of which advantage could be taken, and his suc- 
cessors, the proprietaries of Pennsylvania, were not slow to improve 
it — literally "running" the boundaries of the famous " walking pur- 
chase." The Miuiiin had special compliiint against the traders in the 
Minnisink country, who had made them drunk and defrauded them of 
the purchase money of their lands; who invariably, by the same pro- 
cess, defrauded tiiem of the price of the peltries which they lirought 
in. The Delawares complained; the proprietaries summoned them to 
a council, with chiefs of the Six Nations as arliitrators; feasted the 
latter and loaded them with presents. The result niay be anticipated: 
the Delawares, then tributary to the Six Nations, and the special 
wards of the Sfnecas, were obliged to relintjuish their lands and re- 
move to Wyoming. Not satisfied with what they had wrongfully 
obtained, the proprietaries followed up their advantage with the Six 
Nations, and, with the Susquehanna Company of Connecticut, bought 
the lands at Wyoming. The transaction so incensed the Senecas, who 
had been but partially represented in the matter, that they drove from 



FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 81 



their ranks their best chief for his participation in it, and removed the 
" petticoat" from the Delawares and bade them defend their homes. 
The latter were ready for the work. Liberated from the thraldom to 
which they had been subjected for nearly a century, and with all its 
grievances to redress, the chiefs of the east met those of the west 
in council at Alleghany; rehearsed their wrongs, and declared that 
wherever the white man had settled within the territory which they 
claimed, or of which they had been defrauded, there they would strike 
him as best they could with such weapons as they could command; 
and that the blow might be effectually dealt, each warrior-chief was 
charged to kill and scalp and buru within the precincts of his birth- 
right, and all simultaneously, from the frontiers down to the Jieart of 
the settlements, until the English should sue for peace and promise 
redress. 

In October following, with their allies, painted black for war, in 
bands with murderous intent, they moved eastward, and the line of 
the Blue mountains, from the Delaware to the Susquehanna, became 
the scene of the carnival which they held with torch and tomahawk 
during many coming months. The MinsiH performed their part, and 
on the frontiers of Orange and Ulster counties, and New Jersey, V)ut 
principally within the limits of the Minnisink patent, were repeated 
the fearful ravages of the more remote districts f)f Pennsylvania. 
The settlements were small, at considerable distance from each other, 
and much exposed tf) the surprises of the Indians, whose incursions 
were frequent. The people, especially in the contested district, were 
kept in almost perpetual alarm, and under such "continued military 
dutj' as to be rendered incapable of taking care of their private 
affairs for the support of their families." An extent of country, on 
the west side of the Wallkill, of fifteen miles in length and seven or 
eight in breadth, which was " well and thickly settled, was abandoned 
l)y the inhabitants, who, for their safety, removed their families to the 
east side of the river, and became a charge on the charity of their 
neighbors," while others " removed to distant parts, and some out of 
the province." * 

" Fatigues (tf body, in continually guarding and ranging the woods, 
and anxiety of mind which the inhabitants could not avoid, by their 
being exposed to a cruel and savage enemy, increased by the perpet- 
ual lamentations of the women and children," were not the only evils 
which the inhabitants suffered. Three men were killed at Cochecton; 
five men at Philip Swartwout's; Benjamin Sutton and one Rude, two 
of the Goshen militia, were killed at Minnisink; Moi'gan Owen was 



* N. Y. MSS. Ixxxii, 107, etc. 



82 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

killed and scalped about four miles from Goslieu; a woman, taken 
prisoner at Minnisink, was killed and her body cut in halves and left 
by the highway; Silas Hulet's house was robbed and he himself nar- 
rowly esca|)ed. "From about the drowned lands for fifteen miles 
down the Wallkill, where tifty families dwelt, all save four abandoned 
their fields and crops." * 

Pending negotiations for peace, hostilities were suspended during 
the year 1156, but in August of the succeeding year, s:iys Niles, "one 
James Tidd was scalped in the Minnisinks. ' AI)out this tim(! also, one 
James Watson, with James Mullen, went out on some business, and 
were fired upon by a party of Indians. Watson was found killed and 
scalped- Mullen was carried off", as was concluded, not being fotind or 
heard of. About the 19tli of September, Patrick Karr was scalped 
and killed at a i:)Iace called Minnisink bridge. Sometime in October, 
in Ulster county, the Indians fired into the furthermost house in Roch- 
ester, and killed two women, but were repulsed by two men. f 

"On the 16th of May, 1158, about two o'clock in the afternoon, 
about thirteen Indians rushed into the h(»use of one Nicholas Cole, on 
the frontiers of tiie Jerseys, if I mistake not. Cole not being at home, 
they immediately pinioned his wife, and tomahawked tlieir son-in-law, 
about eighteen years old, and dragged her (Mrs. Cole) out of doors, 
when; her eldest daugiiter, al)out thirteen years old, lay murdered, 
and a boy aged eight, and her youngest daughter aged about four. 
This last- — the ]>oor, helpless old woman saw the cruel savages thrust 
tlieir spears into the body of her gasping infant. They rifled the 
house, and then carried her and her son off", after tiiey had scalped the 
slain above mentioned. 

"Soon after tiiey were joined by two Indians with two (German 
captives they had taken that day, and killed and scalped another, in 
one Anthony Westbrook's field, near Minnisink, so called. Not long 
after Cole returned home, where to his great surprise he found his 
four children murdered, and his wife and othei- son missing. Upon 
which he went to Minnisiidt (Napanoch) F()rt,|and got ;i few soldiers 
to assist him in burying his children and the German. The soldiers 
joined with some of the neighbors that evening to cross the Delaware 
river at daylight, and waylay the road to Wyoming; and as lour of 



* " All the families between the deponent's house and Minnisink, to the amount of one 
hvmdred and fifty persons, have deserted those settlements and conio into four frontier 
houses, one of which is the deponent's house, which is now a frontier house on that side, 
and which was, last year, fifteen or sixteen miles within the settlements at Minnisink, and 
about sixteen miles from Hudson's river."— 4^daBi/ of James HoireU, N.Y. MSS. Ixxxh. 

t The attack here spoken of was on the house of Peter Jan, in the south-western part of 
Itochcster. Jan's house was burned and one of his daughters, and two men who acted as 
scouts, were killed. His wife and two daughters, and himself and two sons, who were in 
the field, escaped.— Doc. His., ii, 763, 764. 

i Napanoch, Neepenack, and Peenpack, refer to one and the same place. Ante p. 57. 



FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 83 

them were going to one Chambers's, about two o'clock at night, they 
heard the Indians coming down a hiU to cross the Delaware, as was 
supposed, when one of the four fired on them. They immediately 
fled, giving a yell after their manner. The woman they led with a 
string about her neck, and the boy by the hand ; who, finding them- 
selves loose, made their escape along the road, and happHy met at 
James McCarty's, the boy first and afterward the woman. 

" The daughter of one widow Walling, living near Fort Gardiner, 
between Goshen and Minnisink, going out to pick up some chips for 
the fire, was shot at by three Indians. Her shrieks alarmed the 
people. Her brother, looking out at a garret window, and seeing a 
fellow dispatching and scalping his sister, fired at them and was 
pretty certain he wounded one of them. The old woman, during this, 
with her other daughter and son, made off and escaped. 

"About this time (beginning of June), a sergeant went from Waas- 
ing* to Minnisink with a party of men, but returned not at the time 
they were exjDected. Upon which a larger party went out in search 
of them, and at their arrival at Minnisink, found seven of them killed 
and scalped, three wounded, and a woman and foiir children carried 
off. Near about the same time, a house was beset by a party of In- 
dians, where were seventeen persons, who were killed, as I remember 
the account. A man and a boy traveling on the road with their mus- 
kets, were fired on by some Indians in ambush. The man was killed, 
but the boy escaped, having first killed one of the Indians. Not far 
from this time — whether before or after I am not certain — the Indians 
killed seven New York soldiers. Tliis slaughter was committed at a 
place called AVestfall's." f 

Such is the imperfect recoi-d of these hostilities, attested by the 
most respectable residents of the district — among others by Colonel 
Thomas Ellison and Colonel Charles Chnton, of the settlements on the 
Hudson, which, though exempt from the brand of the enemy, were 
not the less sufferers by the war, their male inhabitants being in almost 
continual service on the frontiers, and their dwellings converted 
into places of defense. That the incursions of the Indians on the 
frontiers were not continued in their first severity, was due in part to 
the erection bv Governor Hardv, in the summer of 1757, of a series 
of block-houses along the western frontier,! and in part to the nego- 

* Wawarsing block-house, probably. t See also Eager's Oranjre County, 381. 

i " From a place called Machakamak to the town of Eochester." — Griv. Hardy^s Mes- 
sage. Mr. Guamer states that at this time there were three small forts in the Upper 
Neighborhood and three in the lower Neighborhood. " One in the Upper Neighborhood 
was on the Neversink at the north-east end of the settlement ; one at the house of Peter 
ftumaer in the central part of the neighborhood, and the third at the south-west end of 
the settlement. These forts were occupied by about twelve families and a few soldiers 
who were there from time to time. The locations of the forts in the Lower Neigliliorhood 
arc not known. They gave protection to about eighteen families." In a subsequent par- 
agraph he says that ' ' Westfall's Fort " was in the lower part of the latter neighborhood. 

o6 



84 GENERAL mSTORY OF OBANGE COUNTY. 



tiations which had been instituted with Teed^Tiscung, the king^ of the 
Delawares, who, seeking only the redress of his people, was ready to 
restrain them fi'om war could that end be secui-ed by other means. 
In October, 1758, the proprietai-ies sm-rendered their titles and recog- 
nized the right of the govermuent to arrange the boundaries of the 
lands claimed under them; the Minfih were paid for their lands in 
the Minnisink country; an exchange of prisoners was agreed to, and 
tei-ms of peace concluded. Subsequently the Indian allies of the 
French held the fi'ontier under teiTor until after the close of the 
French and Indian war, when the avocations of the j)ioneers were 
resumed and theii* rude forts permitted to decay. 

From the close of the Indian war to the advent of the Revolution 
was less than a quarter of a century. Its experiences were yet fi'esh 
— its ravages had scarce been repaired. It was not, therefore a new 
experience on which the people of the district were to enter that 
confi-onted them when the echo of the guns at Lexington rolled over 
the continent — when the ringing alarm was proclaimed : " The war 
has ah'eady begun !" — although it is perhaps time that the jdternative 
of submission to the demands of the British ministry or war, was not 
fuUy realized in the eai'ly stages of the controversy. However this 
may be, in the movement which cuhiiinated in independence, they 
acted with great unanimity. When they were asked in April, 1775, 
to send representatives to New York, to meet with those fi'om other 
parts of the province, for the purpose of choosing delegates to a con- 
tinental congress at Philadelphia, the selection was made by an unan- 
imous vote of the county convention. A still more decisive test was 
that of the pledge of association, which was soon after presented: 

" Persuaded that the salvation of the rijrhts and hbcrtics of America depend, under God, 
on a tirni union of its inhabitants in a -s-igorous prosecution of the measures necessary for 
its safety ; we, the freemen, freeholders and inhabitants, being greatly alarmed at the 
avowed design of the ministry to raise a revenue in America, and slioeked hy the bloody 
scene now acting in Massachusetts bay, do, in the most solemn manner, resolve never to 
bfioonie slaves, and do associate, under all the ties of religion, honor and love of country, 
to adopt and endeavor to carry into execution whatever measures may be recommended 
by the continetal congress." 

— yet it was accepted vrith an unanimity almost equal to that with 
which the election of delegates had been voted, not five per cent, of 
the inhabitants witliholding their signatui-es.* 

Aside from the affirmation of the political convictions of its inhab- 
itants, the Revolutionary historj' of the district has its general and 
its local military features: the former, in the concentration of con- 
tinental forces in and above the Higlolands, and the establishment of 
the head-quarters of Washington and his principal officers at New 
Windsor and at Newburgh for periods covering the larger pai-t of the 

* Every freeholder and elector had the option to give or withhold his signature to this 
pledge. The signatures will be given hereafter. 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 85 



contest ; the latter, in the services of its militia. Prior to the former, 
the mUitia knew Httle immunity from active duty. 80 ^Teat was the 
demand upon them that two out of every five of their number were 
called out, and at times, in order to save their crops, they were per- 
mitted to serve in the ranks by turns. The population of the district 
—representing only about foiir thousand males between the ages of 
sixteen and sixty — was so small that none who were able to bear arms 
were exempt from local service or from drafts to recruit the general 
state and continental forces. In no district in the state were the 
inhabitants so completely thrown into the contingencies of the strug- 
gle or suffered more severely. 

To the first four regiments raised in the province (1775), the 
county of Orange sent two companies, and the county of Ulster four 
companies; to the four regiments raised in January, 1776, Orange 
sent three companies, and Ulster three companies, and in September 
follovnng contributed largely to the organization of the regiment 
commanded by Colonel Lewis DuBois. The first regiments will be 
remembered as comprising the expedition against Canada, whose 
brief but heroic history marked the aggressive spirit of the infant 
nation. The second regiments have written upon their record the 
story of the defense of New York and especially of the battle at 
Chatterton's Hill ; while the third were the regular continental troops 
enlisted for the war. In addition to the companies named, two com- 
panies of rangers were organized — one under command of Captain 
Isaac Belknap, of Newburgh, and one under Captain Jacob Rutsen 
DeWitt, of Peenpack — of which the former has immortal fame under 
the title of '*' Townsend's Rangers" in Cooper's story, "The Spy." * 

While the several organizations were being perfected, the mihtia 
proper was put in the best possible condition. At the outbreak of 
the war there were four regiments in the district: Colonel John 
Hathom's in Warwick, Colonel Jesse Woodhull'ff in Cornwall, Colonel 
EUison's in New Windsor, and Colonel William AUison's in Goshen. 
These regiments were reiirganized, a new enrollment made, vacancies 
in ofiicers filled, and independent organizations of minute men and 
of exempts created.t In July following, apprehending a movement 

* More specific reference will be made to the military organizations of the district in a 
subsequent chapter. 

t In May, 1775, commissions were issued to the field officers of three Ulster county regi- 
ments: Colonel .James Clinton's (8ubsequentl.v Colonel McClanghry's), New Windsor; 
Colonel Jonathan Hasbrouck's, Newburgh ; Colonel Levi Pauling, Rochester. Orange, 
north of the Highlands, had three regiments : Colonel .Jfsse Woodhull's, Cornwall ; Colo- 
nel William Allison's, Goshen ; and Colonel John Hathom's, Warwick. The first regiment 
of minute men in the district was organized in January, 1775— Isaac NicoU, of Cornwall, X 
Colonel. The second was organized in December, 1775— Thomas Palmer, of Newburgh,*' 
Nj Colonel. Several local companies of minute men were organized, but the regiments do 
not appear to have been filled up. Special organizations were rapidly multiplied, and 
were entirely disproportioned to the population. Ultimately all special organizations were 
abolished, and the militia and the troops of the line became the sole dependence. 



86 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



of the enemy up the Hudson, the provincial convention ordered that 
" one fom-th paii of the mihtia of the counties of Orange and Ulster 
be drawn out for the defense of this state" and "stationed in the 
Higlilands on the west side of Hudson's river to guard the deliles." 
Two regiments were organized under this order: one fi'om Ulster, 
Levi Pauling, Colonel, and one from Orange — -Isaac NicoU, Colonel; 
Gilbert Cooper, Lieut. Colonel; Saml. Logan, Major. A more sweep- 
ing requisition was made in December, when, after the capture of New 
York, the British followed Washin;^-ton into New Jersey, they were 
ordered to co()perate with the forces under Cxenerals Lee and Gates 
in that state. Assembling at Chester,* they marched thence to a 
place called "the City, at the parting of the roads leading from 
Tappan to P_yi-amus," under command of General George Clinton,f 
and formed the nucleus of what was subsequently known as General 
CHnton's Brigade, whicli was continued in service in vaiying numbers 
until after the fall of the Higliland forts in 1777. For over two years 
they were practically resolved into minute men and placed under orders 
to march upon signal to the defense of the Highlands ;| special servi- 
ces almost innumerable were thrown upon them. § Rallying after the 
loss of Fort Montgomery, we see them on the march to Kingston, 
struggling against hope to save that place fi'om the iiames, and from 
thence returning to buUd anew their shattered citadels, and to reap- 
pear in the carnage at Minnisink. 

Although famihar, an abridged narrative of their se vices in these 
fields may not be omitted in this connection. In July, 1775, the 
British ministry, in arranging their plan for the suppression of the 
rebellion, determined "to command the Hudson wdth a number of 
small men of war and cutters, and maintain a safe intercourse and 
correspondence between Quebec, Albany and New York, and thus 



* " Resolved, That all tho militia of Orange and Ulster couuties be forthwith ordered to 
march, properly armod and accoutererl, toChe.sttr, in Oranjre coiinty, there to receive 
further orders from General George Clinton for effectually cooperating with Ma.jor-Gene- 
ral Lee and Major-General Gates, in harassing and distressing the enemy, who have en- 
tered the state of Now Jersey."— 7?p.s. Prov. Conv., Dec. 9, 177(5. .\ subsequent order 
confined them to the limits of New York. 

t At that time Brigadier General of militia of Ulster countv ; subsequently Governor of 
the state. 

% "On the tiring of two cannon at Fort Montgomery, and two at Fort Constitution, to 
be answered by two from the brass twenty-four pounder at New Windsor, the militia on 
the west side of Hudson's river, in the counties of Orange and Ulster, as far as Colonel 
Hasbronck's regiment, inclnding the same, are to march by detachments, without further 
notice, as a reinforcement of this garrison."— Orf/«TC)/'i)VK/. OeneralJames CMnto7i,com- 
mnnding at For/ Montgomery, July 10, 1777. From December, 1776, to April, 1778, the 
militia were called out twelve times and spent 292 days in the field. 

§ A single instance of the many recorded services of this nature is the following which 
occurred on the morning i)receding the battle of Minnisink. and which accounts for the 
limited nimiber of men in that action : " On the evening of the 21st of this instant, I re- 
ceived an order from his excellency General Washington, together with a requisition of the 
Commissary of Prisoners, to furnish one hundred men of my regiment to guard the British 
prisoners on their way to Easton. I ordered three companies'of mv regiment, including 
the exempt company, to parade foi' that \mrpose.'''—Hathorn.'s Report, July 25, 1779. 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 87 



afford the finest opportunity to their soldiery, and the Canadians in 
conjunction with the Indians, to make continual inciu'sions into Mas- 
sachusetts, and divide the provincial forces, so as to render it easy for 
the British army at Boston to defeat them and break the sj^irits of the 
Massachusetts jjeople, desolate their country and compel an absolute 
subjection to Great Britain." To counteract this plan, the continental 
congress, in May of the same year, at the suggestion of the. conven- 
tion of New York, resolved, " that a post be taken in the Highlands, 
on each side of Hudson's river, and batteries erected, and that experi- 
enced persons be immediately sent to examine said river in order to 
discover where it would be most advisable and proper to obstruct the 
navigation." During the succeeding fall. Forts Clinton and Mont- 
gomery were erected under the supervision of the convention of New 
York, and the navigation obstinicted by means of chains, booms, fire- 
ships, and vessels of wax*, dimng the summer of 1776.* The forts 
were mainly garrisoned by the mihtia of the district, who were called 
together by a system of beacons and signals, consisting of flags and 
alarm cannon by day, and beacon-fires upon the mountain tops at 
night. The works were strengthened during the summer of 1777, by 
the constinaction of Fort (Jonstitution on Constitution island, and of 
Foi-t Independence at Peekskill, and the command, on the east side 
of the river, intrusted to General Putnam; Governor Chnton and 
General -James Clinton and the militia retaining the western division. 
Scarcely had the work been completed when Burgoyne swept down 
fi-om Canada with his splendid army, and the campaign for the pos- 
session of the Hudson opened. To aid in the movement, Howe threat- 
ened an attack on Philadelphia, by way of Delaware liver, and thus 
forced Washington to draw men from the Highlands until only fifteen 
hundi'ed remained. About the 2()th of September, while Howe was 
marching into Philadelijhia, and Biu'goyne had reached Saratoga, over 
three thousand British soldiers arrived in New York, and there joined 
the armament of Sir Heruy Clinton, then in waiting, and in a few 
days started to force their way up the Hudson. Misleading General 
Putnam by feigning an attack on Peekskill, the forces of the enemy 
crossed the river to Stony Point, marched around the western base of 
the Dunderberg (Oct. 7), and appeai-ed before the foi-ts. The mihtia 
of the district, about six hxuidred in number, that had been hastily 
called in the day previous, made a most heroic defense, fighting 



* The first obstructions consisted of a chain 1800 feet in length from the foot of the 
rock at i'ort Montgomery to the base of Anthony's Nose. A considerable portion of it 
was brought from i''ort Ticonderoga, where it had been used to obstruct the river Sorrel; 
the remainder was manufactured at Poughkeepsie. It was protected b}' a boom of logs, 
and guarded by batteries on the shore. Jj'rom Plum Point to Pallopel's Island, a chevaux- 
de-frise was constructed. The tire-ships were rafts loaded with combustibles. The ships 
of war were two armed frigates, two galleys, and an armed sloop. 



88 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

against superior numbers until twilight, when they gave way and 
made a scattered retreat, leaving behind them about three hundred of 
their number in kOled, wounded and prisoners.* 

Adverse winds prevented the escape of the armed vessels which 
had been stationed to protect the chain and boom, and they were 
set on fire by their crews. The flames spread rapidly and soon 
reached the loaded cannon, which gave out thundering reports, and 
finally the magazines, and amid "magnificent pyramids of fire," a 
tremendous explosion shook the hills, and all again was wrapped 
in darkness. On the morning following the enemy removed the 
obstructions, and passed on up the river, hurling shot and shell to 
the exposed dwellings on either shore, sending the inhabitants to their 
cellars and to the woods for safety. The cause of the colonists seemed 
hopelessly lost; gloom hung its heavy clouds over theii- hopes; the 
defenses which had cost them so much money and sacrifice, had proved 
of no avail; weeping for the slaia, and fears for the captives, were 
guests in many households. 

The captiu'e of Burgoyne's army, however, frustrated the nearly 
accomphshed eftbrts of the enemy, and theii- fleet returned to New 
York. Hteps were immediately taken by the colonists to reestablish 
the Highland defenses. The works and obstructions were similar to 
those which had been destroyed, but the location was better chosen. 
A new fort was erected on a cliff one hundred and eighty feet above 
the river, on the east side of the present parade ground at West 
Point. It was large enough to shelter six hundi'ed men, and was only 
accessible at one point from the river, which was securely defended by 
pahsades. It was the principal fori on the Point, and bore the bap- 
tismal name of Fori Arnold, f Its out-works were Fort Putnam, on 
Moimt Independence, and Foris Webb and Wyllys near by; indeed, 
on eveiy eminence in the neighborhood commanding Fori Arnold 
were batteries forming a chain of redoubts to the river. | The river 
obstructions were a massive chain and boom, extending from the foot 
of Fori Arnold to the landing on Constitution island. West Point 
thus became the strongest military post ia America — the virtual key 
to the continent. No longer garrisoned by the local militia, our in- 
terest in it other than that which is national ceases. 



* The re^ments engaged were : Colonel Allison's, from Goshen, commanded by him- 
self; Colonel Jesae Woodhull's, from Cornwall, under command of Major Zachariah 
DuBois ; Colonel Jas. Clinton's, from New Windsor, commanded by Lieut. Colonel James 
McClaughry ; Colonel Hasbrouck's, from Newburgh, under Lieut. Colonel Masten ; three 
regiments ft-om other districts, and Colonel DuBois' continental regiment, and Col. Lamb's 
artillery. The regiments were by no means full. No return of the killed appears on 
record. 

t Subsequently changed to Fort Clinton. A part of its walls remain. 

i Fort Putnam is now the most complete in its ruins, presenting walls and casemates in 
a considerable state of perfection, though not as they existed during the Revolution, the 
works having been repaiied in 1812. 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 89 



Wliile these events were transpiring on the Hudson, the western 
frontier was harassed by the incursions of Indians and Tories. At the 
outbreak of the Avar the colonists made no httle effort to induce the 
more important tribes, as well as the resident Indians, to remain 
neutral. To some extent this effori was successftil, but ultimately the 
rude savages, always easily debauched by rum and trinkets, yielded 
to the sohcitations and rewards of the English agents, and accepted 
service in their ranks. The bulk of the Six Nations were more im- 
mediately employed in the norihern and western parts of the prov- 
ince, in company with the Tories, in an independent organization 
known as "Tories and Indians." This organization was extended to 
the south-western fi-ontiers in 1777, when a rendezvous was estab- 
lished by Brant and Butler at Oghkawaga (now Binghamton), where 
was soon gathered a motley crew of wliites and savages, from the 
Delaware and its branches, whose field of operations was to embrace 
the fi'ontier settlements with which its members were best acquainted. 
In anticipation of the events which subsequently followed, the settlers 
in the western part of Orange erected, soon after hostihties com- 
menced, a number of block-houses,* while others stockaded theii' 
dwellings with a view to defense. The first invasion of the district 
is said to have occurred on the 13th of October, 1778, when two 
dwelhngs were attacked, three persons killed, and the inhabitants 
despoiled of their grain and stock, f Count Pulaski, with his legion of 
cavahy, was then sent to Minnisink for the protection of the settlers, 
and remained during the winter of 1778-79, and Col. Van Corilandt's 
regiment was sent to Wawarsing. Hostihties were renewed in the 
spring; the vaUey of the Susquehanna was devastated; Wyoming 
became the scene of frightful massacre; north-western Ulster was 
invaded and the Fantinekill and Woodstock settlements visited. The 
withdrawal of Count Pulaski fi-om Minnisink left the lower frontier 
exposed, and, on the night of July 19th, Brant, with sixty-five of his 
warriors, and twenty-seven Tories disguised as savages,| stole upon 
what was then known as the Lower Neighborhood, § and before the 
people were aroused from their slumbers several dwellings were set 
on fire, and the work of death begun. Without means of defense, 



* Mr. Gumaer states (Eager's History, 385), that three small forts were erected in the 
Peenpack neighborhood — " one at the liouse of Jacob Rutsen DeWitt ; one at the house 
of Benjamin K. DePuy, and one at the house of Ezekiel Gumaer." He intimates that 
there wete none at the Lower Neighbornood or Little Minnisink. Sauthier's n\&]) of 1779, 
locates "Col. Jersey Fort " at the " Lower Neighborhood," and " Fort Ootenco " north of 
the " Upper Neighborhood." Besides the " Col. Jersey Fort," there were several forts 
(so called) at the "Lower Neighborhood," erected by individuals for their own protec- 
tion. Among others one at Daniel Van Auken's, and one at Martinas Decker's. 

t This statement is on the authority of Mr. Gumaer. We find no other record. 

X The number of the attacking party was never definitely known. 

§ Now in Deerpark south of the Neversink river, and so called to distinguish it from the 
Upper Neighborhood, or original settlement on the Cuddeback patent. 



90 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

the inhabitants fled to the mountains, leaving all their worldly goods 
a spoil to the invaders. Their church, mills, houses and barns were 
bm-ned; several persons were killed and some taken prisoners; cattle 
were di'iven away, and booty of every kind carried to G-rassy brook 
on the Delaware, where Brant had his head-quarters.* 

Alarmed by fugitives. Lieutenant Colonel Tusten, of Colonel AUi- 
son's Goshen regiment, Colonel Hathorn of the Warwick regiment, 
and Captain Meeker of the New Jersey mHitia, with such number of 
their commands as could be brought together in so brief a time, 
met in council at IMinnisink the following morning. Col. Tusten re- 
garded the force too small to attempt the pursuit of the invaders, but 
he was overruled, and the line of march taken up, under command of 
Colonel Hathorn, and continued until the high hills overlooking the 
Delaware, neai- the mouth of the Lackawaxen, were reached, where 
the enemy was discovered. Ordering his force into three divisions, 
Hathorn made preparations for the attack; but was anticipated by 
Brant, who having, it is said, received reinforcements, threw his war- 
riors into action before Hathorn's dispositions were fully made, and 
compelled his rear division to break and fly. Hathorn rallied his men 
as best he could; but Brant had the advantage of position and supe- 
rior numbers, and di-ew his Are closer and closer until Hathorn was 
hemmed in within the circumference of an acre of ground, upon a 
rocky hill that sloped on all sides, where he maintained the conflict 
until the sun of that long July day went down. \Mth the gathering- 
twilight the ammunition of his men was exhausted, and, placing 
themselves in a hollow square, they prepared for a flnal defense by 
clubbing their muskets. Broken at one corner, the square became a 
rout, and the fl.)ing fugitives were shot down without mercy. Behind 
a rock on the iield, Tusten dressed the wounds of his neighbors, wlule 
his shelter, vmknown to him, was also made the point from which a 
Are was constantly kept up by a negro. As the last shot fell from this 
retreat, the Indians rushed to the spot, killed Tusten and the wounded 
men in his charge, seventeen in number, and completed the bloody 
work which they liad commenced. Of those who heroically went foi-th 
to chastise the invaders, only about thii'ty retvu'ned to relate the ex- 
periences through which they had passed in the scourging conflict — 
the whistle of bullets, the moans of the wounded, the yells of savage 
foes — grafting them foi-ever upon the memory of their descendants 

* Col. Hathorn, in his rejjort to Governor Clinton, states : " They burnt Major Decker's 
house and barn; Samufl jJavis's house, barn and mill; Jacobus Van Vleck's house and 
barn ; Daniel Van Aukeu's barn ; Esquire Cuykiudali's house and barn ; Simon WestfaU's 
houso and barn ; the church (the old iVlaghaghkemek church); Peter Cuykindall's house 
and baru ; Martinas Decker's tort, house, barn, and saw -mill, and Neheniiah Patterson's 
saw-mill; killed and scalped Jeremiah Van Auken, Daniel Cole, Ephraim Ferguson, and 
one Tavern, and took witu them several prisoners, mostly children, with a great number 
of hoiTes, cattle, and valuable plunder." 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 91 



and weaving them imperishably into the traditions and the history 
of the county.* 

Had the district been subjected to no other than foreign enemies, 
its condition would have been more tolerable; but unfortunately lying 
on the borders of territory in possession of the British, its more south- 
ern portion was infested with bands of " cow-boys " operating against 
the property of its people. The Moni-oe mountains were the places 
of concealment of these bands, and Stony Point their secure retreat. 
They were the guerrillas of the king; the retainers of the more re- 
spectable portion of those who had refused the pledge of association. 
Adding the mui'der of Major Nathl. Strong, of the Blooming-Crrove 
settlement, to their other offenses, Claudius Smith, a leader of one of 
the organizations, was tinaUy hunted down, and, on the 1 8th of Janu- 
ary, 1779, j)ubhcly executed at Groshen; several of his associates shai-- 
ing his fate on tlie 22d of the same month. His band was not broken 
up, however, but continued its depredations until the close of the war. 
The service of another of these bands, however bold may have been 
its thefts, was not always creditable to its sagacity or that of its em- 
ployers. For the deception which Washingion practiced upon Sir 
Henry Clinton through Captain's Moody's, in canyxng out his scheme 
for the capture of Lord Comwalhs, they ought to be forgiven many 
evil deeds and their haunts immortahzed. Joshua Hett Smith relates 
the incident refeiTed to, fi-om the British stand-point, while yet Clinton 
was rubbing his hands in glee at its consummation. He says: "The 
Clove was celebrated for the attachment of the inlialntants in general 
to the British interests, who had frequently encouraged and protected 
parties from New York, in then- mountainous recesses; and it was in 
this defile that the celebrated Captain Moody, in May, 1781, intercept- 
ed an express fi'om G-eneral Washington to congress, communicating 
the result of his interAiew with the commanders of the land and naval 



. * The traditions of the engagement are too numerous to be folJected, and in many 
cases liave been exaggerated in repetition. Dr. Wilson, in liis address in 1822, states that 
Hathorn had but eiglity men, while Hathorn himself says he had one hundied and twenty 
men. The latter included Meeker's New Jersey militia, while it is piobable Dr. Wilson's 
mimber was conrined to the militia of Gosheu, or to those who (hd not tly to the woods in 
the tirst shock of the engagement. Again— iiathorn was not certain as to the force under 
Braut, but says: "Some say '.10, others 120, others 160."' The tradition that multiplies 
these ligures to " 30!) Indians and 200 Tories," must of course be fabulous. Hathorn's ac- 
count of the battle, written five days after its occurrence, must be accepted evidence. He 
states that in the first part of the action the rear division of his force broke and fled, " some 
advanced down the hill towards me, others fled into the woods;"' that he maintained his 
position " up the hill from the river,"' and was not cut off from the latter by an ambuscade; 
that when he subsequently fell back on the hill he found he had "out forty-five men, with 
whom he held the position until dark, when in the midst of the final melee, "every man 
made choice of his own way." The loss on- the part of Brant was never known, in 1822 
the bones of the fallen were gathered from the battle-field and interred at (loshen under 
a monument inscribed: " Erected by the iuhabitauts of Orange county, .July 22d, 1822. Sa- 
cred to the memory of forty-four of their fellow-citizens who fell at the battle of Minnisink, 
July 22d, 177tf." No positive identification of the remains could be made. The present 
monument (see frontispiece) was the gift of the late Dr. M. H. Cash, and was erected by 
the Board of Supervisors in 1862. 



92 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

forces of France, and which disclosed to Sir Henrj' Clinton the design 
of General Washington to attack the seat of the British power, New 
York; and enabled Sir Heniy to take the necessary precautions to 
prevent the combination by withdrawing fi'om Lord Cornwallis a part 
of liis troops." The facts are all con-ectly stated except that Wash- 
ington designed the dispatches for captui-e, in expectation that CHnton 
would do precisely what he did do. When the latter was made 
awai'e of Washington's real intention, the aUied army was far on its 
march to Vii'ginia; before he could con-ect his blunders Cornwallis 
was a prisoner, and the success of the Revolution assui-ed. 

The presence of the continental army in the district, and the estab- 
lishment in it of Washington's head-quarters; the treason of Arnold, 
and the fate of Andr^' ; WajTie's victoiy at Stony Point, and his defeat 
at Bergen; the Newbiu-gh letters, and the refusal of Washington to 
accept the crowTi of monarchy ; the conflicts and stratagems that were 
enacted through aU the Highland range — have given the county a 
national record that need not be repeated here. A careful analysis 
of the question would, it is believed, establish conclusively the fact 
that, while national independence was decreed at Philadelphia in 177G, 
the republic had its bu-th on the camp-ground of the continental army 
at New Windsor. Seeking, in the early stages of the war, a redi-ess 
of grievances; laboring subsequently for the success of the declara- 
tion " that these colonies ai"e, and of right ought to be, fi'ee and inde- 
pendent datex," the question of the permanent form of government 
was held in abeyance. The first formal expression of sentiment on 
the subject was the Col. Nicola letter, and the rejection by W^ashing- 
ton of the offered crown. But this discussion may weU be waived. 
Fortunate will be the American people if the republic, no matter where 
inaugurated — -whether at Pliiladelphia amid the clangor of beUs on 
the foiu-th of July, 1776; or at New Windsor in the chant of the aimy, 
"No king but God," on the nineteenth of April, 1783 — shall suiwive 
the influences perpetually menacing its overthrow. 

In the wai's of the republic the people of Orange have borne their 
full share. Then battles, and those of the rebellion, were mainly 
fought by volunteers and by the federal army and navy. In that of 
1812, however, the militia of the county was ordered out en maf^se for 
the defense of New York, but met no enemy there. In records to be 
given hereafter we shall meet her sons on the ocean and on the field; 
in the everglades of Florida, and before the embrasured walls of 
Mexico; on the fi-atricidal fields of Virginia, and in the memorable 
march from the IVIississippi to the sea. 




KtJINS OF FOBT PUTNAM. 



JUDICIAL HISTORY. 93 



CHAPTER VI. 

.rUDICIAX HISTORY PUBLIC BUILDINGS CIVIL ADMINISTRATION TOWN 

BOUNDARIES GENERAL SUMMARY. 



THE judicial histoiy of Oraiige county properly begins with its 
Coui-t of Common Pleas (1691), the first session of which was 
held at Orangetown, April 28, 1708.* Prior to that time, and for 
several 3'ears subsequent, in some cases, as has been already stated, 
its primary settlements were attached to New York or were included 
in the county of Ulster. The coiu't of Common Pleas was continued 
until 1847, when it gave place to the present County Court. The 
Supreme Court (also established in 1691), held Circuits in the county 
after 1708. Its bench was composed of the best legal tsilent of the 
province and of the state. Its Circuits were su< ceeded by the Circuit 
Courts established by the constitution of 1821, and the latter by the 
judicial system of 1846, when a new Supreme Couri was organized 
having general jurisdiction of law and equity, and holding at least 
two terms annually of the Circuit Court and Court of Oyer and Ter- 
miner in each county. Surrogate's courts have been held in the 
county since 1754. The original county was divided into two court 
districts in 1727, when courts were held at Orangetown and at Goshen 
alternately, the former being the sliire-town. A similar division was 
made in the present county in 1798, when Goshen was estabUshed as 
the shire-town, and coui-t terms alternated with Newburgh.f This 
division is still preserved, and is the only practical surviving hnk be- 
tween the past and the present; an ofi'spi-ing of the wildemess era 
vulgarly called " Half-shire," clothed in figments of log court houses, 
dreary forest roads, pioneer jui'ors and pioneer justice, that flits to and 
fro in palace cars and is seated beside the judge upon his bench. 

The couri houses of the original county have been refeiTed to.| 
Part of the walls of the one erected in 1737-'40, are now included in 
the building known as the Orange Hotel, in Goshen. § The one erect- 



* Ante p. 33, 43. 

t Ante p. 39, 40. The cnurts in Newburgh were held in the Academy building, the 
upper floor having been specially fitted up for the purpose. 

t Ante p. 44. 

§ The south end wall of the Orange Hotel was the dungeon wall of the first court house. 



94 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

ed in 1773, was on the site now occupied by the office of the county 
clerk, the well on the west side of the latter building having stood 
about ten feet from the rear of the center of the court house. There 
were two periods in its architecture. As originally constructed its 
first floor contained a haU in the center, with sheriff's office and 
dwelling rooms on the west, a dungeon on the south-east, and a stair- 
case on the north-east. The court room was at the west end of the 
second floor, the judges' vbench facing the entrance; on the south-east 
were cells for minor oflenders. The building was plain, and without 
belfry; its only ornamental features were two windows larger than the 
others and arched, one over the fi-ont door on the north side, its mate 
directly opposite on the south side, and the date " 1773 " worked con- 
spicuously in brick on the east wall in heu of the British crown-stone 
which had been obtained for the place, but which Gabriel Wisner de- 
moHshed with a hammer.* Here were confined duiing the Revolution 
political ofi'enders or Tories, and prisoners of aU grades; among others 
Joshua Hett Smith, who was arrested for compHcity in the treason of 
Arnold, and who presents in his narrative an inside view of the prison 
at that time. He writes: " The jail was fiUed with those who professed 
to be the king's fi-iends; tories, and those who were prisoners of war; 
felons, and characters of all colors and descriptions. I was challenged 
to know if I had any hand in the business of aiding the tory prisoners to 
eff'ect their escape from the dungeon. These were a number of persons 
who were taken in arms while going to join the king's troops in Canada; 
they were residents of western settlements where, the country being 
thinly inhabited, they had no jails, or at least none that were large and 
strong enough to contain the number of persons who were captured, 
and who were therefore brought to this place for greater security. 
Among them were some of the most daring and hardy people, belonging 
to Colonel Brant and Butler's corps of whites and Indians. Fifty of 
these were crowded in a small cell, which had a window grated with 
strong bars of iron, and a sentinel to watch it.f Notwithstanding his 
vigilance, however, some implements were conveyed to the prisoners, 
who, in the night, by gentle degrees, picked away the mortar fi-om the 
heavy foundation walls, and, in the coru-se of one night, made an aper- 
ture large enough to admit a man of almost any size to pass through, 
which they all did and effected theu- escape. Fortunately a few days 
after, several persons came to see me, as well on business as from 
friendship, and they having interest with the deputy sheriff", persuaded 

* The tradition is that a controversy arose in regard to the place where the stone should 
be fixed. Wisner, who was a justice of the peace, asked that it be handed to him and he 
would place it where no one would object. Holding the stone in the wall, as if to adjust 
it, he suddenly struck it with a sledge and broke it in fragments. He was subsequently 
killed in the battle of Minnisink. 

t The original dungeon of this building. 



PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 95 



him to suffer me to come out of my place of confinement, and sit with 
them in the open court room." As evening approached, I took occa- 
sion to ask to visit my room a moment; but instead of doing so, 
"when I came near the door of my prison, I suddenly turned, and 
from a wink of my servant went down a staircase that was at the side 
of it, and without delay made to the outer door of the jail, which not 
being bolted, I went out." 

The building was changed by the addition of a third story, cupola 
and bell, al^out the commencement of the present century. On the 
new floor was a large or main jail room at the south-east corner, and 
adjoining it on the noiih-east was a dungeon with one gTated window 
so arranged that it could be completely darkened. Immediately west 
of these was a large hall separating the rooms on the east side from 
a jail room on the west and three other rooms, one occupied by the 
county clerk and the surrogate, the others by a jailor, and used as 
occasion required for prisoners. The arrangement of the court room 
was changed, the bench being placed on the northerly side, with the 
prisoners' dock on the right, and seats for jurors on both left and 
right. The building had no basement. When prisoners died in it 
who were confined for debt, they were buried under the floor; or, if on 
the limits, in the prison-yard.* The death penalty was inflicted pub- 
hcly, outside the court house walls. f The building was without spec- 
ial architecture. Its length exceeded its depth ; its walls were stone; 
its roof was hipped; its ceilings quite high for a structure of that 
period. Its little bell now calls the firemen of Goshen to their duties ; 
the old stones in its walls are incorjDorated in the walls of the present 
jail; its historical associations embrace all that is now regarded as 
barbarous in the old judicial system. 

The court houses now in use at Newburgh and Goshen were erected 
by the present county in 1842, and were the result of a compromise 
on the question of erecting a new county, which, had been agitated at 
different periods^ by the people of Newburgh and the north-eastern 



* Among those who were buried under the floor of the building was Major Antill, an 
Englishman of high social rank, who had been imprisoned for debt. Under the law, the 
body was held until the debt was paid. In 1875, the remains of several persons who had 
been buried in the yard were exhumod, in digging a trench, and removed elsewhere, gain- 
ing their final release from the old "limits " through the mercy of a laborer's shovel. The 
remains were not identified. 

t Claudius Smith was executed a few rods in the rear of the court house, at about the 
point now formed by the south-west angle of the Presbyterian church grounds. Teed and 
Dunning were executed in a field just out of town, a mile or so south of the court house, 
near what is known as Stewart's woods. Peter Crine was hanged in the court room, and 
his execution was the first in Orange county under the statute decreeing that capital pun- 
ishment should be more privately administered. 

% The first efifort for a new county was made in 1822, when it was proposed to give it the 
name of " Jackson ;" the second in 1832, when " Newburgh " was fixed upon as the 
name. A third effort was made in 1858 — the new county to be called " Highland." The 
two former were predicated upon the refusal of the western towns to consent to the erec- 
tion of a court house at Newburgh. 



96 



GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



towns. Their erection was inaiiafnrated in 1839 by an application to 
the lef^islatvire, on the part of the board of supervisors, for authority 
to buUd a new court house at Groshen. This proposition was opposed 
by Newburgh, and the passage of the act defeated. In December 
following the supervisors at an extra session (Dec. 7) adopted, by a 
vote of ten to fom-, a resolution to apply to the legislature for power 
to levy a tax of $30,000 on the county for the building of a court 
house and jail at Goshen and a coui-t house and cells at Newbiu'gh — 
$17,000 to be expended in the former and $13,000 in the latter town. 

The act apjjhed for 
was passed by the 
legislature in April 
1841, and the erec- 
tion of the build- 
ings begun soon 
after. In their ex- 
ternal api^earancc 
they are alik:\ and 
we]-e from plans 
furnished by T. M. 
N i V e n , architect. 
The basement of 
that at Newbiu-gh 
is occupied in part 
by cells, which are 
not necessarv at 
Goshen, the county jail being a separate building at that place. The 
site of the Newburgh bviilding was enlarged to an open squai'e by 
private subscriptions of citizens. 

Originally the county clerk and the surrogate had their offices at 
their dwellings; subsequently in the reconstmcted court house. At a 
later period a clerk's and surrogate's office was erected on the west 
side of the site now occupied by the court house at Goshen. It was 
a small building of brick, and was moved a shoii distance south in 
1842, but in moving its walls were cracked, wliich gave rise to the 
necessity for the erection of the present clerk's office, which was 
built in 1851 and occupied in the fall of that year.* It is a brick 
sti-uctui-e of one story, tire-proof, and was occupied for some years by 
the clerk and the suiTogate. At the amiual session of the super- 




COURl HoUSK AX NKWUUHliH. 



* The resolution for its construction was introduced in the board of supervisors in tlie 
fall of 1850, by R. M. Vail. The contract was awarded to Francis Boyd, of Newburgh, 
architect. The building committee was composed of R. M. Vail of Goshen, James R. 
Dickson of Newburgh. and Daniel Fullerton of Wawayanda. The cost of building and 
furniture was $6,250. 



PUBLIC BUILDINGS. .97 



visors in 1873, the erection of a building for the use of the surrogate 
and the supervisors was authorized, from plans submitted by Cornelius 
Ackerman, architect, and C. M. Thompson and J. H. Vail appointed 
as building conmiittee. TIk; contract was awarded to Thomas Dobbin 
of Newburgh, and the building completed in the summer of 18*14, at a 
cost of $1,401 85. The structure is of brick, two stories high, and 
presumed to be fire-proof. 

The support of the poor of the county and of its several towns, 
with the exception of the town and city of Newburgh,* is provided 
for by a county house and farm sitnat'ed about four miles south of the 
village of Goshen, on the road leading to Florida. In the early years 
of tlie settlement of the county, this support devolved, under the law 
of 1101, upon the several towns and precincts.f The relief provided 
was of two kinds: temporary or special assistance to the poor, and 
absolute support w here the latter was necessar3^ In most cases those 
of the latter class were given out to board with the person who, at the 
annual town meeting, shoidd propose the lowest rate of compensation; 
although in some cases tenements were rented for families. New- 
burgh and Monroe purchased lands and erected town poor houses, but 
they wei-e the exception. | As population increased and the nuniber 
of paupers liccame greater, the distinction between town and county 
poor was established — th(^ latter being provided for by general tax 
upon the county; and the Ibrmer, which was administeri'd in the form 
of temporary relief, by tax upon the town in which it was afforded. 
Various methods were from time to time considered for administering 
the support re(|uired ibr permanent paupers, resulting ultimately in 
the passage by the legislature (November 21, 1824,) of an act to pro- 
vide for the establislimeiit of county houses for Ixitli tdwn and county 
poor. Tliis :K-t wiis aiiieiided (April 4, 1828,) by providing for the 
submission to the people of the towns, tit an annual town meeting, of 
the (piestioii of adopting tiie county system, and, if ap[)roving, to so 
instruct their supervisors and tile their action with the county clerk. 
The people of Blooming-Grove; were the fii-st to move for the adoption 
of the system in Grange', by appointing, at their town meeting in 
1828, a- committee to make iiujuiry in regard to it, and the {jrobuble 
expense of its establishme'rit. This committee — composed of Joseph 
M'Laughlin, Joseph Mofllat, and Robert Denniston — made a lengthy 
report (Feb. 19, 1829,) in which the results of the system in the 
county of Gntario were [iresented, and the rapidly increasing poor 
rates of the county dwelt upon — the expense of supporting the town 



* Newburgli \vithdi-ew from the county system by act of March 13, 1853. 
t Ante p. 33. 

X Report, March 23, 1829. In some instances the poor were sold for their own support. 

07 



98 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



and county poor durin 


^ the previous year having been 


as follows: 




Tax for 


Tax for 


Tax for 


Tax for 


County Poor. 


Town Poor. 


County Poor 


. Town Poor. 


WallkiU, 


$1,063 08 


$1,000 


New Windsor, $li9 48 


$700 


Deerpark, 


359 59 




Montgomery, 167 82 


1,000 


Minnisink, 


332 25 


400 


Crawford, 119 39 


400 


Warwick, 


122 84 


900 


Calhoun, 208 42 


250 


Monroe, 


321 65 


350 


Newburgh, 263 24 


500 


Blooming-Grove, 


185 54 


700 


Goshen, 391 98 


750 


Cornwall, 


262 15 


450 







3,917 93 7,400 

Whole annual expense, $11,317 93 

It was thought that this expense could be greatly reduced and a better 
support provided by the new system, the cost of the establishment of 
which was estimated at $10,190. The committee suggested a meeting 
of delegates from the several towns, wliich was held on their call at 
Goshen on the 22d of March — John McGarral) of Monroe, chairman, 
and Stacey Beakes of Wallkill, secretary. This meeting approved the 
county system, and requested the officers of the different towns to 
submit the question to the electors at the ensuing town meetings. The 
question was accordingly submitted, and, the towns consenting, the 
board of supervisors met at Goshen in October to take such further 
action as was retpiired. At tliis meeting a committee was appointed 
to consider and report; and at a subseipient meeting, in November, full 
powers were given a conunittee to purchase a site, witli tlie necessary 
land, and proceeil with the erection of buildings. On the (Uh of F('l)ru- 
ary, 1S30, th(> proposals for erecting the buiklings were opened and the 
contract awarded to John II. Corwin and Samuel Bull of Wallkill, fu- 
ll, 289. As the general act authorized the expenditure of .ft, 000 only 
for laud and buildings, application w;is at once made t(.» the legishdure 
for power to raise $5,000 additional; and subsequently for $1,000 for 
land.* At their November meeting (1829,) the supervisors appointed 
the f illowing persi)ns as the tirst board of superintendents: Gilbert 
Holmes of Newburgh; Jesse Wood, Jr., of Warwick; Daniel ('orwin 
of Wallkill, and William Smith and John Wilson of Goshen, who ap- 
pointed (Nov.) Festus A. Webb, of Minnisink, keeper, at a salary of 
$500. 1 The terms of the general law were fully complied with on 
the 29th of March, 1831, when the house was opened, and the dis- 
tinction between town and county poor abolished except in temporary 
reli(>f which was continued by the towns. During the eight months 
embraced in the first report of the superintendents, 432 persons were 
relieved. at an expense of $5,589 88; and the apparent economy of 
the system slu)wn in the statement that for the support of the county 
poor alone, from December 1, 1830, to March 31, 1831, had been 



* The first act was passed March 3, 1830; the second February 5, 1833. 

t Five superintendents were appointed until 1838 ; after that and until 1857, three.— 
In 1857 the number was reduced to one to be elected by the people. James O. Adams 
was then chosen. 



PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 99 



$4,894 22. * The cost of the house, with one hundred and twenty- 
eight acres of land,"}" was $12,000. The original building has been 
improved and others erected at different times, and the property now 
embraces the main asyhun, erected in 1830, 50 by 150 feet, three 
stories and a half high, with accommodations for three hundred per- 
sons; a lunatic asyhim adjoining on the north-west, erected in 1848 by 
Riley & McF'arr, 30 by 50 feet, with accommodations for about thirty 
lunatics; a separate building on the south for colored people, erected 
in 1865 by B. H. Corwin, with accommodations for on(( hundred per- 
sons. | Adjoining the original asylum on the north-west is the new 
asylum for the custody and care of the chronic insane, furnished with 
all modern conveniences — the first of its kind erected in the state. 
Its constriu'-tion was authorized by the board of supervisors, whose 
attention was called to its nec(!ssity by J. H. Goodale, superintendent, 
at a special session held August 12, 1874, when the board appointed 
Messrs. D. Thompson, 1). M. Wade, and M. Shuit, a committee to ex- 
aiiiine the matter, who reported (Dec. 2), that the representations 
which had been made by Mr. Goodale were iully sustained; that at 
the county house thirty insarm persons were coidined to fifteen rooms; 
that additional room was absolutely required; that the annual expense 
of maintenance in state asylums of thirty-eight persons was $7,024, 
and that it was believed this sum could be largely reduced and at the 
same time the inmates of the lioiise be better cared lor b}' the erec- 
tion of an additional luiilding of sufticient size to accoiiiniodate all 
the chronic insane ol' the county. 

The report was accepted and the erection of the proposed building 
voted. Plans submitted by John C. Sloat, architect, were adopted, 
and Messrs. Owen, Bell, and Shuit, of the board, and J. H. Goodale, 
superintendent, appointed building committee. The contract for the 
building was awarded to Thonuis Dobbin of Newburgh; and the 
corner-stone was laid June 11, 1875. The dimensions of the building 
are: length, eighty feet; width, forty feet; height, four and a half 
stories; height of ceilings average ten feet; walls hard-finished 
throughout. A corridor fourteen feet wide traverses each story, and 
the rooms, each ten feet ten inches deep by seven feet in width, are 
arranged on either side. It will accommodate about one hundred per- 
sons. The cost of the structure was provided for by certificates of 
indebtedness, issued by the board (jf supervisors for $20,000, payable 
$5,000 annually. The farm now contains two hundred acd sixty- 
three acres, of which two hundred are tillable, and is supplied with 



* The poor were first brought to the house from the different towns in April, 1831. 

t Subsequently increased to 2C3 acres. 

X These buildings are all of stone quarried on the farm. 



100 'GENEE4L HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

all necessary out-building-s. The present valuation of the estate is 
about $^0,000. 

The first board of supervisors of the present county assembled at 
Goshen, May 28, 1198, and was composed of John Vail, Goshen; 
Francis Crawford, New Windsor; Reuben Tooker, Newburg-h; Anse- 
lem Helme, Cornwall; Jacobus Post, Warwick; Nathan Arnout, Min- 
nisink; James Finch, Deerpark; David Galatian, Montgomery, and 
Andrew McCord, Wallkill. The business of the session was confined 
to the audit of accounts. In the course of its subsequent history 
there are few salient points. It has erected three towns: Greenville, 
Wawayanda, and Highlands ; improved one and constructed two court 
houses — of the latter, one at Goshen with jail, and one at Newburgh 
with cells; two county clerk's offices, and a surrogate's office, at Go- 
shen, a county almshouse and a county asylum for the insane. In 
its expenditures it has been prudent — perhaps in the character of its 
public buildings, too prudent; but it has never suffered the credit of 
the county to be impaii'ed, or its people to be oppressed by taxation 
where the assessment was under its control. With its powers en- 
larged and entering upon a new political ern, its future will not be 
without more marked infltience. 

Aside from the intangible reality of civil administration, the his- 
tory of the county, as sucli, is necessarily limited. It has not made 
roads, constructed bridges, or in any manner controlled or directed 
the industry or the enterprise of tlie [)eoi>le; the aggregated char- 
acter which for a time it enjoyed in the election of representatives 
by general ticket, has been taken away; county associations, which 
were the necessity of sparse population, no longer remain, or have 
only a nominal existence; tiie county as a county rarely appears. 
Nevertheless, it has annals which may be suimnarized: the character- 
istics of its people, and their products. It may be said of the formei- 
that they were peculiarly educated; that the presence among them 
of some of the purest leaders of the Revolution, the addition to their 
numbers as permanent residents ol" many who had served in the con- 
tinental army, the memory ol' their own neighbors wlio had fallen at 
Port Montgomery and ;it Minnisink, and on other battle-fields, had an 
influence for generations; that sinlerioi- to tliese considerations their 
fathers in many cases had been large sufferers in the monarchial wars 
of Kurope, and had transmitted that hatred of kingly govermnents 
and that appreciation of republics wlijch their experience had taught 
them. Whatever the cause, it may be assumed, without the dispar- 
agement of other counties, that they have a marked individuality in 
their love of country and tlieir sensitiveness to whatever detracts 
from its reputation or threatens its integrity. 



GENERAL SUMMARY. 101 



Not less than for love of i-omitr}' are they individualized for their 
intelligence and the encouragement which they have extended to 
educational inHuences. The early settlers were mainly Christians, 
and brought with thcni tlicir Bibles and their religions and secular 
teachers. Presbyterianisin, in some of its classilications, was the con- 
trolling faith; Episcopalianism, its efficient associate. The (Jermans 
from the Palatinate of the Rhine, worshiped in the Lutheran faith at 
Newburgh in 1709; Presbyterianisin was established at Goshen in 
1721, and at Bethlehem (Cornwidl), in 1730; the Church of England 
enM'ted the Parish of New Windsor in 1733, and established congre- 
gations in Newburgh, in llamptouburgh, and in Montgomery; the 
Reiormed Dutch church was established in the Miiinisink capital; 
Maghaghkeinek church was erected perhaps anterior to those already 
natued.* Wherever population centered the foundations of moral influ- 
ence, through religious worship, were laid. In no county has this 
influence been more fully sustained, the census of 1865 returning 115 
churches to a population of 70,000, with a seating capacity of 47,584 — 
a ratio higher than that of the city of New York. In this connection 
it may l)e said that in their religious associations the people df the 
county are remarkably conservative. There are six Baptist churches, 
two 01d-scho(jl Baptist, four Friends, forty-four Methodist, thirty-one 
Presbyterian, four United Presbyterian, nine Episcopal, seven Reformed 
Protestant Dutch, five Roman Cath()lic,f one Unitarian, and of other 
modern sects none. The schools of the county have kept pace with 
its churches, and show the same comparative preponderance; the cir- 
culation of its newspapers is about one to every five of its inhabi- 
tants—a ratio higher than that of Albany, the capital county of tlie 
state. 

To the influences recited it is indebted for the long list of distin- 
guished men which it has given to the pul)lic service; men whose 
birthplace was under the shadow of its hills or in the valleys of its 
streams; who were nurtured by its patriotism, its intelligence, its 
morality; whose lives are an epic of bravery and illustrious actions. 
Nor yet for these alone: its representatives in jurisprudence, litera- 
ture, science, and the arts, — where blazing comet bears to unknown 
realms of space the name of its discoverer, or the hand of man gath- 
ers up the atmosphere and from day to day reveals its changes; its 



* In 1742 there were four churches on the Delaware : the Walpack church, in the Wal- 
pack bend of the river — removed in 1815 ; the Shapenac chui-ch, seven miles above — re- 
moved prior to 1818 ; the Minnisink church, twelve miles further on ; and eight miles fur- 
ther up, in the forks of the Delaware and Neversink, the Maghaghkemek church— burned 
by Brant in 1779, rebuilt, and removed about the time Port Jervis was settled. They 
were all on the line of the old mine-road. Johannes Casparus Fi-eycnmoot was in charge 
in 1744. Ho was a minister of the Reformed Dutch Church. 

t Several churches have been established since 1865 ; among others three Catholic. 



102 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

brighter gems iu lowly ranks, whose lessons of virtue are graven on 

the hearts of its sons — 

"Pointing to such, well might Coi-nelia say, 
When the rich casket shone in bright array, 
' These are my jewels ! ' " 

Thrift follows perhaps as a natural sequence of the considerations 
already stated. There are but six counties in the state whose valua- 
tions are higher, viz: Albany, Kings, New York, Ononadaga, and 
Westchester; but six whose assessed personal estate exceeds that 
of Orange, viz: Duchess, Erie, Kings, New York, Rensselaer, and 
Westchester; and but six whose assessed value of real estate is 
higher, viz: Albany, Erie, Kings, New York, Onondaga, and West- 
chester. In other words: throwing out the large centers of popula- 
tion, the county of Orange is the most wealthy in the state.* Its 
number of neat cattle (54,386), is only exceeded by six counties; its 
annual product of butter (2,363,661 lbs), by five counties; its gallons 
of milk sent to market (8,835,053), by one county; its product of pork 
(3,615,780 lbs), by live counties. It has $334,146 invested in flouring 
mills, whose product is only exceeded by ten counties; $900,000 in 
furnaces for reducing ore, in which it is exceeded by only two coun- 
ties; $140,000 iu cotton mills, whose product is exceeded by only 
three counties; $255,000 in lumber mills, whose product ($1,336,525) 
is not exceeded by any county.f And yet the development of the 
resources of the county is in its infancy; its reservoirs of water are 
but partially employed; its lacustrial lands but partially reclaimed; 
its mineral wealtli but partially ascertained. Specialties in the pro- 
ducts of the county are the quality of its butter and milk, and its 
breed of horses. In regard to the manufacture of the former, no 
special method is employed; its superiority is from the soil and the 
rain-falls, which develop peculiar qualities in the grasses. Though 
celebrated in Europe and in America at an early period, the genuine 
is now as little known to consumers as are the pure wines of France. 
Three millions of pounds will scarce supply the city of New York 
for a single week. Millions of pounds bearing its name but not its 



* Comparative statistics can 


be consulted. 


The following figures, however, 


are regard- 


ed as sufficient : 














Population 


Acres 


Value 


Value 


Aggregate 


Counties. 


1870 


imp. land. 


Eeal Est. 


Pers. Est. 


Valuation, 


Albany, 


133,108 


267,034 


$38,557,176 


$7,535,171 


$46,092,344 


Duchess, 


74,156 


361.344 


20,927,018 


8,225,233 


30,132,151 


Erie, 


175,582 


407,302 


43,392,351 


8,155,240 


51,538,598 


Eensselaer, 


99,551 


290,209 


21,720,013 


7,796,515 


29,516,528 


Ulster, 


84,008 


253,695 


10,788,112 


2,364,616 


13,152,727 


Orange, 


78,026 


303,858 


23,339,358 


7,575,049 


30,914,407 



t The statistics of the census of 1875 may vary these figures, but the conclusions drawn 
from tlicni will not, it is believed, be materially affected. Some of the industries of the 
county will ]n; decreased, and others enlarged. The product of milk will be increased 
very largely. 



TOWN BOUNDARIES. IQB 



quality are sent to market. Its breed of horses has become familiar 
throughout civilized countries. In the early period of settlement the 
Dutch of the Esopus country imported a breed, which was spread 
througli the valley of the Wallkill, and indeed over the entire dis- 
trict.* Subsequent importations improved it; but it was reserved for 
the combinations in " Hambletonian" to produce a progeny whose ex- 
ploits may well challeng'e for their sire the position of father of Ameri- 
can trotters. The perfection of his breed, however, appears only 
when crossed with American Star,'\ an Orange county horse whose 
fame, if less brilliant during his life, is inseparably linked with that 
of his successor. 

Of the population of the county 43,997 were born within its limits; 
8,891 in other counties of the state; 8,247 in Ireland, and 3,789 in 
other foreign countries. The eastern states contribute to it 991 ; the 
middle states 3,673; the westei-n states 213; and the southern states 
234. The county contributes to other counties of the state 15,322, 
viz: Albany 136, Alleghany 130, Broome 345, Cattaraugus 101, Cayu- 
ga 323, Chatauqua 140, Chemung 1225, Chenango 107, Clinton 8, 
Columbia 67, Cortl-and 163, Delaware 71, Duchess 713, Erie 125, Essex 
43, Franklin 2, Fult(m 6, Genesee 72, Greene 54, Hamilton 1, Herki- 
mer 13, Jeft'erson 27, Kings 1335, Lewis 24, Livingston 94, Madison 31, 
M(mroe 177, Montgimiery 28, New York 1954, Niagara 71, Oneida 55, 
Onondaga 198, Ontario 227, Orleans 59, Oswego 58, Otsego 34, Put- 
nam 219, Queens 91, Eensselaer 80, Richmond 36, Rockland 605, St. 
Lawrence 8, Saratoga 48, Schenectady 15, Schuyler 370, Seneca 204, 
Steuben 511, Suffolk 102, Sullivan 1640, Tioga 752, Tompkins 434, 
Ulster 1059, Warren 5, Washington 15, Wayne 176, Westchester 402, 
Wyoming 44, Yates 291. 

The towns composing the county, whose history we are now to 
consider, were given their boundaries under the act of April 3, 1801, | 
These boundaries, and those of the tonws subsequently organized, 
are given in connection with a brief summary of the facts already 
presented in regard to prior organization, viz: 

Blooming-Grove — formed from Cornwall, March 23, 1779. Bounda- 
ries 1801: "All that part of the county of Orange beginning in the 
south bounds of the town of New Windsor at the north-east corner of 
a tract of land commonly called Van Dam's patent, and then along the 
east bounds of the said patent to the south-east corner thereof, thence 



* The facetious Diedrich Knickerbocker says that the Dutch "quality" of New York 
bought their switch-tails at Esopus. The reputation of Esopus horses, however, rests 
upon the more substantial authority of Smith's History of New York. 

t Hambletonian colts from American Star mares are worth $1000 as soon as weaned. 
No other stock commands so high a price. 

X Ante p. 40, 41. 



104 GENERAL IITSTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

south-east until it comes to the top of Srlioniiinoiik mountain, thence 
sontli-westerly along- the U•,]^ of said mountain to the line connnonly 
called the north-west line,* thence north-west along said line to the 
division line betwe(Mi the patent of Wawayanda and Chesecocks, 
thence along- the said lino to llio town of Warwick, thence north- 
wardly along- the lino of tli<- towns of Warwick and (Joshen to the 
lin<' of the town of Wallkill, and llicnce east ak)ng the said lino and 
the line of the town of New Windsor to the place of beginning-." 

Monroe — formed from (■ornwall under the name of ('hesecocks, 
March 23, 1799; name changed to Southlields, 1S()2, and to Monroe, 
Ai)ril 6. 1808. Bountlaries 1801: " All that part of the said county x>f 
Orang-e, beg-inning in the east line of (lie town oi" Warwick, at the 
southerly corner of the town of Hlooining--(!rove, and thence southerly 
along- the said line of tlie town of Warwick to tiie liiu' of the state 
of New Jersey, thence along the said line to the county of Kocklaml, 
thence along" the said county of Rockland to the mouth of Poplopen's 
kill on the west side of Hudson's river, thence a. direct line to the 
south-east corner of the town of Blooming'-Grove, and thence along" 
the same to the place of beg'inning"." f 

Cornwall — formed from the precinct of Goshen, as the precinct of 
Ne-w Cornwall, Sept. 20, 17()4;| erect(>d as the town of New Corn-, 
wall, March 7, 1788; named changed to Cornwall, March 8, 1797. 
Bt)undaries 1801: "All that part of the said county of Orange bound- 
ed northerly by New Windsor, westerly by Chesecocks and Blooming"- 
Grove, southerly by Chesecocks and the bounds of the county, and 
easterly by the middle of Hudson's river." 

Goshen — formed from the precinct of Goshen, Sept. 20, 1764; erect- 
ed as the town of Goshen, March 7,1788. Boundaries 1801: "All 
that part of the said county of Orang'e bounded easterly by Blooming-- 
Grt)ve, northerly by the town of Wallkill, westerly by the middle of 
the Wallkill, and southerly by the creek commonly called Quaker's 
creek from where it falls into the Wallkill on the south-westerlj' side 
of the great island in the drowned lands to the road leading- across 
the g-rist-mill dam of William Thompson esquire, thence along the 
southerly side of the xaid road running towards Sugar-loaf mountain 
to the northerly line of tiie plantation late of Samuel Rayuer deceased, 
and thence along said line easterly to the south-west corner of a large 
tract of land commoidy called Rutgers' tract, and thence easterly 



* The lino given to the Wawayanda patent. 

t The board of supervisors, by act of December 1st, 18()3, divided the town into three 
towns: Monroe, Sontlifield, and" Highland. The act was repealed by the Legislature in 
1H(>5. In tlie nieantinie tlie towns were organized ; their supervisors "met witli tlie iinnual 
session of the board in 18(14. 

t Ante p. 3(i. 



TOWN BOUNDARIES. 105 



along the south boniids of the said tract to tlie foot of the said Sugar- 
loaf mountain, and then an east course to tlie bounds of Blooming- 
Grove." 

Warwick — fonued fioin the precinct of Goshen, March 7, 1788. 
Boundaries 1801: "All that part of the said county of Orange bound- 
ed easterly by Chesecocks and Blooming-Grove, southerly by the state 
of New Jersey, westerly by the middle of the VVallkill, and northerly 
by Goshen." 

MiNNisiNK — formed from tlic pn-cinct of (xoshen, March 7, 1788. 
Bound:i,ries 1801: "All that part of tlie said county of Orange bound- 
ed easterly l>y tlie middh' of the Wallkill, southerly by New Jersey, 
westerly by the Delaware river,* and northerly by the biwnsof Wall- 
kill and Deerpark." 

Nkw VVindsok — formed iVom the precinct of llighl;inds,| December 
11, 1702; erected as a b)wn March 7, 1788. Boundaries 1801: "All 
that part of the said county of Orange bounded easterly by the mid- 
dle of Hudson's river, southerly by an east and west line from the 
mouth of Murderer's creek, and westerly and northerly by a line be- 
ginning at the west side of Hudson's river at the mouth of Quassaick 
creek, and running from thence along the south bounds of a tract of 
land commonly called German patent and the southerly bounds of a 
tract of land granted to Alexander Baird and Company to the east 
bounds of two thousand acres of land granted to Cadwallader Golden, 
and then across the same to the most northerly corner of the land 
granted to Patrick Hume, and thence along the westerly bounds 
thereof to the lands granted to Patrick McKnight, and then along the 
same south-easterly and south-westerly to the southerly corner thereof, 
and then continuing the last mentioned line to tlie town of Blooming- 
Grove so as b) include the lands formerly of Fletcher Matthews." 

Newburgh — formed from the precinct of Highlands, December 11, 
1702; erected as a town March 7, 1788. Boundaries 1801: "All that 
part of the said county of Orange bounded easterly by the middle of 
Hudson's river, southerly by New Windsor, westerly by the east 
bounds of the tract of land granted to Cadwallader Colden, and the 
east bounds of one thousand acres of land granted bi John Johnson, 
and the east bounds of three thousand acres of land granted to Henry 
Wileman, and the east bounds of three thousand five hundred acres 
of land granted to Rip Van Dam and others, and northerly by a line 
beginning on the west side of Hudson's river at the north-east corner 
of a tract of land granted to Francis Harrison and Company, called the 



* The section lying on the Delaware, west of the Shawangunk mountains, was attached 
to Deerpark by act of Feb. 15, 1825. (See Mount Hope.) 
t Ante p. 36, 37, 38, 39. 



106 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 

five llumsaud ucrc tract, and running- from thonco cast to the middle 
of Hudson's river, and westerly along tlic north bounds of tlic said 
tract and the north hounds of another tract granted to the said Francis 
Harrison lo Ihc tract of huid commonly called Wallace's tract, then 
along- tlic lines of the same northerly and westerly to the north- 
easterly bounds oi' a tract of land granted to Jacobus Kij), John 
Cruger and others, conunonly called Kip and Cruger's tract, then 
westerly along the north-easterly and northerly bounds theret)f to the 
north-west corner thereof, and then westerly to the north-east corner 
of the said tract of three tliousand live hundred acres of land granted 
to Rip Van Dam and others." 

Wali.kill— formed iVom the precinct of Wallkill,* March 24, 1772; 
erected as a town March 7, 1788. Boundaries ISOI: "All that part 
of the said county of Orange bounded easterly by New Windsor, f 
southerly l)y a west line from the mouth of Murderer's creek, westerly 
by Shawangunk kill, and nrotlierly by the line conunonly called the 
old north-west line." 

Montgomery — formed from the precinct of Wallkill, under the name 
of the precinct of Hanover, March 24, 1772; name changed to the 
precinct of Montgomery, 1782; erected as a town March 7, 1788. 
Boundaries 1801: "All that part of the said county of Orange bound- 
ed eastcn'ly by New Windsor and Newburgh, southerly by the town 
of Wallkill, westerly b}^ Shawangunk kill, | and northerly by a line 
begimiing at the north-east corner of a tract of three thousand acres 
of land granti'd to Henry Wileman, and running thence along the 
north bounds thereof to the Paltz river, conuTionly called the Wall- 
kill, and then southerly up the same river to the south-west corner 
of a tract of four thousand acres of land granted to Oerardus 
Beekman and others, and then westerly and northerly along the 
southerly and westerly bounds thereof to the north-west corner 
thereof, and then north-westerly along the north bounds of the 
lands granted to Jeremiah Schuyler and Company to the Shawan- 
gunk kill aforesaid." 

Deerpark — formed from the precinct of Maghaghkemek; subse- 
quently included in the precinct of Mamakating; § erected as a town 
April 5, 1798. Boundaries 1801: " All that part of the said county of 
Orange beginning on the Shawangunk kill at the south-west corner 
of the town of Wallkill, || and running thence along the said kill, 
being the boundary line of the said town of Wallkill, to the north 
part of the farm now or latel}^ occupied by Joseph Wood, junior, 



* Ante p. 37, 38, 39. t Now by Hamptouburgli. 

t Now by Crawford. § Ante p. 3G, 38. 

II Now the south-east corner of Mount Hope. 



TOWN BOUNDARIES. 107 



thence west to the river Mougaap, then along the said river Mongaap 
as it runs to the Delaware river, then along the said river to the town 
of Minnisink, and thence along the northern boundary of the said town 
of Minnisink to the place of beginning." 

Crawford — formed froni the town of Montgomery, March 4, 1823. 
Boundaries: "All that part of the town of Montgomery, in the county 
of Orange, lying west of a certain line, beginning on the line between 
the town of Wallkill, in said county, and the town of Montgomery 
aforesaid; at the south-west corner of a tract of hve tliousand acres 
of land, called the tive thousand acre patent; and running thence 
north-east, on the south-west side of the said five thousand acre patent, 
to the south-west corner of the tract of ten thousand acres of land, 
called the ten thousand acre patent; thence northwardly, on the west 
side of the said ten thousand acre patent, till it strikes the center of a 
turnpike road leading from the village of Montgomeiy to the falls of 
the Neversink river, called the ' Orange and Ulster branch turnpike 
road,' thence northwardly, on a direct line to a small bridge, erected 
across the old stage road leading from the village of Montgomery, in 
the county of Orange, to the village of Kingston, in the county of 
Ulster, near the west end of the house now owned and occupied by 
Adam Dickerson, in the said town of Montgomery; thence north- 
wardly, from the said bridge on the center of the old stage road, until 
it intersects the line between the said town of Montgomery, and the 
town of Shawangunk, in the county of Ulster." The first town meet- 
ing was held at the house of Edward Schoonniaker. 

Mount Hope — formed as the town of Calhoun, from the towns of 
Wallkill and Deerpark, February 15, 1825;* name changed to Mount 
Hope, March 14, 1833. Boundaries 1825: All that part of the town 
of Deerpark lying south-easterly of the befu'e mentioned line (see 
note), and tliat part of the town of Wallkill within the following 
bounds, to wit: beginning at the easterly corner of the town of Deer- 
park, and at the south-easterly corner of the county of Sullivan, and 
runs thence due east to the easterly line of the Deerpark patent, 



* This act is entitled "An act to divide the towns of Wallkill, Minnisink, and Deerpark." 
That part relating to Minnisink and Deerpark is as follows: " That from and after the 
passage of this act, all that part of the towns of Minnisink and Deerpark, lying westerly 
and north-westerly of the following lines, to wit: beginning on the line of the town of 
Deerpark, and the line of the county of Sullivan, where the west Une of the second 
division of the Minnisink patent crosses the same; thence south-westerly along the said 
west line of second division of the Minnisink patent to the old Jersey claim line and 
south-westerly corner of said division; thence southerly along said Jersey claim hue 
thirty chains; thence south-westerly through the town of Minnisink to the Now Jersey 
state hue, to strike or intersect the same one hundred chains from the Delaware river, 
at Station or Carpenters point, to be a separate town, by the name of Deerpark, and 
that the first town meeting be held at the house of Cornelius Cuddeback, in said town, 
on the first Tuesday of March next (1826); and all that part of the town of Minnisink 
lying south-easterly of said line, to be and remain a separate town, by the name of Min- 
nisink, and that tho first town meeting be held at the house of Gabriel Sayre, in said 
town." 



108 GENERAL HISTOUY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



thence ulong- said line to (lie town of Minnisink, thence west to the 
town of Deerpark, to he a separate town, by the name of Calhonn, 
and the tirst town meeting- to be iield at the honse of Joseph Conklin, 
in said town." 

Hamptonburgh — formed from (loshen, Blooining'-rTrovtv, New Wind- 
sor, Montg-omery, and VVallkill, April 5,1X30. Boundaries: "Begin- 
ning' at a point where tiie new north-west line crosses the old comity 
line and rnns thence along' said new north-west line sontii forty-nine 
and a qnarter deg'rees east, two hnndred and eighty chains to within 
twenty-tive chains of the soutli-east corner of tiu^ Bnll's and (Gerard's 
patents; then nortli sixty and a iialt' deg'rees east, three hnndred and 
twenty-two chains to a heap of stones in Samuel Brewster's field; then 
north seventeen deg'rees east, thirty-six chains and seventy-five links 
to the aforesaid old connty line; then north sixteen and a half de- 
g'rees west, one hnndred and ninety chains to the north-westerly 
corner of the farm of Stephen King, deceased; tlien north fifty-six 
and a quarter deg'rees west, two liundred and thirty chains to the 
middle of the Wallkill stream; then up the middle of said Wallkill as 
it runs four hnndred and seventy-three chains and fifty liid^s to oppo- 
site a basswood tree standing' on the east branch of said Wallkill 
stream; then soutli fifteen and a half deg'rees east, ninety-five chains 
to the aforesaid old county line, and at the corner of the lands of 
Grant and Derick Smith, Nathaniel Tuthill, and the lands formerly 
owned by Isaac Germond; then east along said old county line 
8eventy-(me chains to tlie place of beginning." First town meeting 
held at the house of Charles Heard on the first Tuesday in April, 1831. 

Chester — formed from Goshen, Warwick, Blooming-Grove, and Mon- 
roe, March 22, 1845. Boundaries: " Beginning on the line between the 
towns of Goshen and Blooming-Grove, near a brook at the intersec- 
tion of the line of Cromeline's patent with the aforesaid line, and 
running thence along said town line north four degrees east twenty- 
two chains, then south twenty-three degrees west, one liundred and 
twelve chains to a chestnut tree; then south fifty-five degrees west, 
three hundred and twenty chains, to the line between the towns of 
Goshen and Warwick at the creek below Thompson's mills; thence 
south twenty-five degrees east, one hundred and ninety-five chains to 
a heap of stones; thence south forty-seven degrees east, three hun- 
dred and forty-six chains to the line between the towns of Warwick 
and Monroe; thence north thirty-two degrees east, one hundred and 
sixty-six chains to the junction of three roads near the head of Little 
Long pond; thence north nine degrees east, two hundred and thirty- 
iive chains to four chestnnt trees; thence north twenty-one degrees 
west, two hundred and twenty chains to the place of beginning." 



TOWN BOUNDARIES. 109 



The first town meeting at the house of Benjamin R. Conklin on the 
first Tuesday in April, 1845. 

Wawayanda — formed from Minnisink, by the board of supervisors, 
November 27, 1849. Boundaries: "All that part of the town of Min- 
nisink, in the said county of Orange, commencing on the old Ulster 
county line and in the center of the Wallkill river, also in the line of 
the town of Wallkill, and runs near due west to the corner of the 
town of Mount Hope and Wallkill; thence along the same course 
twenty-four chains and seventy-five links to the center of the highway 
leading from Ketchurn's mills to Mount Hope village; thence south 
thirty-seven degrees west, twenty-one chains along the highway; 
thence south along the same forty and one-half degrees west, twenty- 
five chains and fifty links; thence south sixty-five chains to an old 
road near Robert Robertson's; thence along the same south forty-four 
degrees west, twenty chains; thence south thirty-fire degrees west, 
fifteen chains and fifty links; thence south forty-three and a half 
degrees west, sixteen chains and fifty links; thence south fifty-two 
degrees west, fifty-six chains along the road leading through the 
MiHbrd neighborhood; thence along said road soutii sixty-two and 
one-quarter degrees west, thirty-six chains to Robert Rol)ertson's, Jr.; 
thence south forty degrees east, twenty-two chains; thence south six 
and a half degrees east, thirteen chains to the old Minnisink turnpike; 
thence across the same south forty-eight and tlncc-(|narter degrees 
east, twenty-two chains; thence south forty-three and three-cjuarter 
degrees east, twenty-four chains to William Canfield's; thence south 
twenty-seven and three-ipiarter degrees east, six chains; thence south 
fiity-eight and a half degrees east, thirty-eight chains to the bridge 
across the branch at Rutger's kill; thence along the said (branch) 
stream to its intersection with Rutger's kill; thence along Rutger's 
kill to the Wallkill river, and thence following the same to the jdace 
of beginning." First town meeting at house of DeWitt C. Hallock. 

Greenville — formed from Minnisink, by the board of supervisors, 
December 2, 1853. Boundaries: "All that part of the town of Minnis- 
' ink which lies west of a \uw between the towns of Minnisink and 
Wawayanda, which is about twelve chains n(jrth-west of the dwelling 
house of Wm. Canfield, said station being twenty-five lird<s north-west 
of the center of an arched stone bridge across said road to said Can- 
field's, and running thence south forty-eight degrees west, four hundred 
and twenty-eight chains and fifty links to a station on the south line 
of the town of Minnisiid^, which station is a black oak tree on the line 
between the states of New York and New Jersey, on the east side of 
the highway leading to the village of Salem from the house of John 
W. Elston." 



110 GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY. 



Highlands — formed from Cornwall, by the board of supervisors, 
December 3, 1872. Boundaries: "All that part of the town of Corn- 
wall lying to the south of a line drawn from Sherwood's rock, on 
Hudson's river, running- thence westerly to a house now or recently 
occupied by William Lancaster; thence in a direct line to the house 
of William Chatfield; thence to the house of John Odell; thence to 
the hig-hest peak of Mount Rascal to the line of the town of Monroe." 

City of Newburgh — chartered by the legislature as the village of 
Newburgh, March 25, 1800; as the city of Newlnirgh, April 22, 1865. 
Boundaries, 1872: "Beginning at the mouth of Chamber's creek, on 
the west side of the Hudson river, and at the north-east corner of the 
town of New Windsor, and runs thence along the north line of the 
town of New Windsor to an oak tree on the west slope of Snake hill, 
and twenty-two chains measured eastwardly along the town line from 
the east line of' the reservoir lot; thence in a straight line througli 
lands of estates of W. Chapman, G. F. Wisner and others, to the 
intersection of the Gidnej'town creek with the west side of the road 
leading from the Newburgh and EUenville plank road to Gidney ave- 
nue; thence northwardly along said creek to a point due west from 
the north-west corner of tlic village of Newburgh; from thence east- 
wardly to the said north-west corner of the village of Newburgh; 
and from thence eastwardly along the north line of the village of 
Newburgh to the west side of the Hudson river; thence due east to 
the east line of the county of Orange, being the center of said river; 
thence soutlierly along the east line of tlie county of Orange to a 
point due east from the place of beginning, and from thence to the 
place of beginning." 




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CHAPTER VII. 



THE SECOND PATENTS — THE PALATINE PARISH BY QUASSAICK. 




NEWBURGH, us its tcn-itory appeared in 1609 — or so much of it 
as could be seen from the deck of the Half Moon, is simply 
described by Hudson, in connection with the adjoining' plateau which 
sweeps in semi-circle from the Dans Kammer to the Highlands, as "a 
very pleasant place to build a town on." On the right of his vision 
Butter hill lifted its rugged sides in sparse and withered verdure in 
the autumn sunlight; from thence were forests, broken here and there 
by clearings which the Indians had made in which to cultivate the 
corn and beans that so largely supplied them with food, or marked by 
the path of streams, and hills with cedar-crowned summits as now 
where unnatured by the reclaiming processes of civilization; in the 
center, a bluff of rolling sand, with gnarled trees and dwarfed shrub- 
bery, rising abruptly from the water's edge — perchance the watch- 



112 



HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



tower of the untutored Indian guarding the approaches to the altar of 
Bachtamo, on which the sacrificial fires of his people had burned for 
ages — Newburgh, untouched by the 

' ' Keen ax, that wondrous instrument, 

That like a fabled talisman transforms 
Deserts to fields and cities." 

The stages of its reclamation and development are revealed in the 
records. The lands included in the two purchases of Gov. Dongan 
(1684), and subsequently conveyed by patent to Captain John Evans 
(1694),* embraced substantially the territory of the present towns of 
Highlands, Cornwall, New Windsor, Newburgh, Montgomery, and 
Crawford, the principal part of Wallkill, part of Ilamptonburgii, and 
a large portion of southern Ulster. After the annulling of the patent 
(1699), the tract was conveyed in small parcels f — one hundred and 
twelve in number — at diflFerent periods from 1703 to 1775, of which 
ten were included in the precinct of Newburgh, as the precinct was 




constituted in 1772 | viz: No. 1, German patent, 2,190 acres, Decem- 
ber 18, 1719; No. 2, Alexander Baird and Company, 6,000 acres, Feb- 
ruary 28, 1719; No. 3, Jacobus Kip and Compaiiy, 7,000 acres, October 
17, 1720; No. 4, Richard Bradley and William Jamison, 1,800 acres, 
May 27, 1729; No. 5, James Wallace 2,000 acres, January 25, 1732; 
No. 6, Bradley children 817 acres, March 26, 1739; No. 7, Francis 



* Ante p. 21, 22. 

t The largest patent was 10,000 acres. In all cases where patents were issued for over 
2,000 acres, it was to a company or association of individuals for the purpose of evading 
tliie law, which forbid the grant to one person of a tract exceeding that number. 

X Ante p. 39. 



PARISH BY QUASSAICK 113 



Harrison and Company, 5,600 acres, July 10, 1714 ;* No. 8, John 
Spratt and Company, 1,000 acres, April 12, 1728; No. 9, Melchior 
Gulch, 300 acres, October 8, 1719; No. 10, Peter Johnson, 300 acres, 
October 8, 1719. 

The first in order of settlement were the German patent, covering 
the present city of Newburgh and a portion of the town of Newburgh 
lying- immediately northf including' Balmville; and the patents to 
Melchior Gulch and Peter Johnson near Middlehope. These settle- 
ments were composed of innnig'rants from the Palatinate of the Rhine, 
whose prior history may be briefly stated: 

The Palatinate was a section of country lying- upon the Rhine, in 
Germany, and now divided and incorporated with Bavaria, the states 
of Rhenish Prussia, Baden, and Hesse Darmstadt. At an early period 
in the histcjry of the Reformation, the movement was felt in the Pala- 
tinate, and the Elector himself became one of its decided friends. His 
dominions were, consequently, resorted to by the Protestants of other 
countries who found the fires of persecution too hot for them in their 
native land. For this reason, as well as fr(jm its g'cog-raphical position, 
the Palatinate sliared largely in the wars of the time of Louis XIV. 
Ill 1674, tiie French army under Turenne entered the district in 
triumph, and marked its victory with the most barbarous and wanton 
destruction. From his castle at Manheim the Elector beheld two cities 
and twenty-fiv(f towns in flames. " Rapine and lust," says the histo- 
rian, "vied with each other in the dreadful destruction committed by 
the French soldiers." Turenne was subsequently forced to retreat 
from the Palatinate; and the district enjoyed comparative prosperity 
until 1683, when, by the revocation of the Edict of Nantz, and the 
flig'ht of many of the )iersecuted Huguenots to the shelter aftbrded by 
the Elector, it becaiiie markcil for the especial vengeance of Madame 
de Maintenon, the wife of Louis XiV, acting tlirougli the war-secretary 
Louvois; and the war between France on the one hand, and Austria 
and Holland, and subsequently Spain, Denmark and Savoy on the 
other, supplied the opportunity. Made aware of the intention of 
Austria and Holland to conunence hostilities, Louis determined to 
anticipate their movements and strike the first blow; and for this 
purpose he dispatched his son, the Dauphin, at the head of 100,000 
men, to invade the Palatinate. The expedition was successful ; and 
several cities had already surrendered to the French arms, when the 
peremptory order came from Louvois that the Palatinate should be 
reduced to cinders, and the whole face of the counti-y turned into a 



* A tract of 300 acres, adjoining the first grant on the north-west, was granted to the 
same parties July 26, 1723. 

+ The German j)atent occupied the river front for about two miles and three-cjuarters, 
(219 chains), and included four lots (700 acres) north of North street. 

o8 



114 IIISTOEY OF NEW'BUKGIL 



(> 



lU'scrt. TIk' Dau|)liiii aiul liis officers sliraiik iVoiii tli(> task imposed, 
but tlicrc was no csi-apiui;- the c-oiiiiiiaiid, and a(.-cordiiii;-ly they an- 
nouiKH'd to the people that in three days time the work of destruction 
would conuuent-e. (iathering- tog'ether what little could be collected — 
unable to turn any property into money — the people tied. Men, women 
and childri'ii, clinging- to their homes to the last, were driven to the 
tields in the heart of winter, while their dwell in^-s weri' reduced to 
ashes, their luoperty seized, anil their ' possessions pillaged. More 
than forty cities and a much larger numbi-r of villages were burned; 
the palaces ol' the Electors razed |o the ground, and their very tond)s 
pened in search of hidch'U treasure. The ollicials l»y Avhom the order 
was executed, bluslu'd at the enoi-mities of which they were the agents, 
and all Kuro[)e gazed in horror (Ui the scene. Even Louis was iV)rced 
to admit the inhumanity of the act, as he reminded Louvois that ho 
had isisueil ;in order for tlu' exei-ution tif which his sovereign must bear 
the olilotpiy. 

'flic I'ugitive Palatines scattered themselves over Europe, and the 
streets of Protestant cities became lilled with men and women once 
in the enjoyment of ph'uty, but now redui'ed to beggary and want. 
Wherever they went the hand of charity was clieerfully extendixl to 
them and etiorts made for the amelioration of their condition. Those 
who ri'mained around tlu'ir ruined villages had little opportunity to 
recoviM' their lost prosperity; the ai'mies of France were frequently 
traversing the ti'iritory, and for several subsctpient years the peojde 
saw more ol' war than peace. Ijcarning their condition, the English 
government, with a view to the colonization of America, was consid- 
ering the propriety of sending out agents to invite the fugitives 
thither, when, in the spring of 1708, a company o^ them arrived there, 
accompanied by tlunr minister, and made application to be sent to the 
plantations.* Their request was referred to the commissioners of 
trade and plantations, who reported: '' They are in number forty-one, 
viz: ten nu'n, ten women, twenty-one childri>n. They are very neces- 
sitous and in tlu> utmost w-ant, not having anything it present (but 
wdiat they get by charity) to subsist themselves. They have been 
ri'duced to this miserable condition by the ravages conmiitted by the 
French in the lower Palatinate, wln>re tlu\v lost all th(>y had. They 
have produced to us several testimonials from the baliflls and principal 
magistrates in the villages where tlu^y dwelt, which we have examined, 
and find that they give good i-haracter of the said minister and the 

* The larger ininiisnition which t'oUowod.Mr. Henry A. Hohiis assumes, in his pamphlet 
" The Palatine Eniiirratioii to England," was imhiced thither by the agents of the English 
government. A portion of this snbseqnent immigration was settled in Ireland, hnt the 
larger part was sent to New York and settled in Columbia and Greene counties and in the 
valley of the Mohawk, from whence a verj' con.<iderablc colony removed to Tulpehocken, 
Berks county, Pennsylvania. 



rAltltiH BY qUASSAWK. 115 



othens witli liiiii. VVc liiiiiil)ly propose that they be sent to si^ttle upon 
Hudson's liver, in tlie j)rovince of New York, where tiiey may be 
use-fill to this kiii<^doni, particularly in the production of naval stoiH.'S, 
and as a protection ag-ainstlhe French and their Indians; and tliatfor 
tlieir further (!ncoui"a|:^enient they be made denizens of" tin's kiiii;'dom." 
These recommendations w(;re adopted by the council (May lU, 1708), 
and were f'ollow(Ml by an order issued by Queen Anne piovidin*;', at 
her own exiKMise, for their maiiitcuiance and their removal to America. 
Letters of denization weri^ issued to them (Aug. 25th), and under a 
gMiaranty of i)<l. a day per head for twelve months for their support, 
and a grant of land on which to settle, they sailed for the New World, 
enrollecl as: "The above-mentioned clergyman, Joshua Kockerthal, 
Sibylle Charlotte his wife, and Christian Joshua, Benigna Sibylle and 
Susanna Sibylle, their children; also, Lourentz Schwisser, husbandman, 
Anna Catharine his wife and Johannes tlieir son; Heinrich Rennau, 
stocking-maker and husbandman, Johanna his wife, Lourentz and 
Ileinrich, their son.'^, and Susanna and Maria Johanna Liboschain, 
sist(?rs-in-law; Andries Volck, hushandman, Anna- ('atharine his wife, 
IleiroiHunus, Maria Barbara and Anna (Jertrude, th(;ir children; Michael 
Weigand, husbandman, Anna Catharine his wife, Tobias, George and 
Anna Maria, their children; Jacob Webber, husbandman, Anna Eliza- 
beth his wife, and Ev(; Maria and Eve Elizabeth, their children; Johan- 
nes Jacob Plettel, husbandman, Anna Elizabeth his wife, and Margan^t, 
Anna Sarah, and Catharine, their children; Johannes Fischei', smith 
and husbandman, Maria Barbara his wife, and Andries his son; Mel- 
chior Gulch, carpenter and joiner, Anna Catharine his wife, and Hein- 
rich and Margaret, their children; Isaac Turck, husbandman; Peter 
Rose, cloth-weaver, and Johanna his wife, Mary Wiernarm, hus- 
bandwoman, his mother-in-law and Catharine her child; Isaac Feber, 
husbandman, Catharine his wife, and Abram their son; Daniel Fiere, 
husbandman, Anna his wife, and Andrew and Johannes, their sons; 
and Herman Schuneman, clerk." 

Reaching ' ' jw York in the winter, they were transferred from 
thence to the district then known as " Quassaick creek and Thans- 
kamir."* Of their private history we know nothing beyond the fact 
shown before the commissioners of trade, that they were rnen of 
good character; and the general fact that they had been stripped of 
their possessions by religious persecution; that they were followers 



* The precise date of their settlement is not known, but it is shown by a petition of 
William Chambers, of date May 9, 1709, for lands immediately south of Quassaick creek, 
that they were here at that time, the tract which he wished to obtain being described as 
bounded north " by the widow Plettel and Quassaick creek." The widow Plettel's friends 
had evidently erected a cabin for her on lands adjoining the creek on the north. She 
afterwards married George Lockstead, and the lot on which she had first located was 
granted to her second husband, herself and her children. 



116 HISTOR Y OF NEWB URGH. 



of the doctrines of Lutlier and members of the Lutheran church, and 
were knit together by common memories and a faith that had proved 
sufficient to sustain them amid the most severe trials and sacrifices. 
Unlike the pioneers in other localities, they brouglit nothing- with 
them, and left behind no friends able to assist them. A scanty 
public stipend, too frequently withlield, was all that sustained the 
strong- arms and willing hearts before which the dense forest yielded 
its sway, their humble cabins dotted the hill-side, and a sanctuary in 
which to worship God arose. 

Through the petitions which they sent in to the council of New 
York, and through the records of tlieir church which have been pre- 
served, we are enabled, to some extent, to trace the progress of 
their settlement. On the 20th of May, 1709, they write that since 
the death of Lord Lovelace, the provision for their support had not 
been complied with; that they were in great want of the same, and 
without it would not be able to perfect their settlement on the lands 
assigned them, and that niiiettHMi of their number had changed their 
religion and turned Pietists, and withdrawn themselves from the 
Lutheran connnunidii. The council immediately granted them tlie 
supplies asked for; and at the same time appointed a conunittee to 
examine into the difficulties in their church. The latter were satis- 
factorily arranged; and at the recpiest of the council. Colonel Thonuis 
\¥enham engaged to provide them " a needful and necessary support 
until the expiration of twelve months." 

Soon after this (June 29), their minister, Joshua Kockerthal, aslu'd 
to be retransported to London, in order to more speedily and satis- 
factorily arrange what had been done in i'avor of the company; but 
his request does not a)i})ear to have been grante«l. In October follow- 
ing, John ('onrad Codvv(Ms, in behalf of the company, represented in 
a petition that a large portion of the allowance granted for its support 
remained due, and that unless it should be provided, they must perish 
during the winter. Theren]ion the council (Ot-t. 10) ordered the ad- 
vance of suppli(\s, the company giving "their ]K'rsonal security for 
the repayment thereof in case it l>e not paid in England in a year." 
In other words, the colonial authorities were not disposed to assume 
the exixMiditure, trilling though it was, of "9d. a day per head" 
involved in the agreement which had been made by tlie home gov- 
ernment with th(> innnigrants for their support, without definite instruc- 
tions from the commissioners of trade and plantations. The authority 
required was socm transmitted to the 'council, and the payment made, 
including a special allowance to Joshua Kockerthal of £20 a year. 
In the spring of 1710, tools and building materials were distributed 
to them; also smith tools; iron and steel for horse-shoes, nails, and 



PARIHII BY QUASSAJVK. II7 



rneiuling- tools; incdicitics; Imoks iiiid icipcr; ag'riciiltural irnplerneuts, 
iiiid horses, cows, and pig's.* 

The patent which hud lieen promised to tlie iniinig-rants for the 
tract on whicli they had iu'vu h)cat<!d was not ininiediatidy granted. 
On tlieir petition in 1713, Gov(u-nor Hunter issued to Augustus tii-a- 
hani, surveyor-general of th<' province, a warrant directing hin) to 
"survey and hiy out lor the (ierinans at tinassaick creek, in tlie 
county of Ulster, su(;li (luantity of land as is by them petitioned for 
and approved of in council," and further recpiiring that he shoidd 
"survey for each of them his (|uantity distinctly." A survey was 
made under this ordei-, on the thirteenth of April, 1714, but was not 
satisfactoiy, the immigrants re})resenting in p<'tition that the land 
Ixiiiif^ "all upland," they were not able to obtain subsistence for 
tlKunselves and families " for want of some meadow land for ibdder 
for their cattle in winter." So the matter stood until 171H, when 
Kockerthal, in behalf of himself and associates, recited in petition 
that the survey had been made, the lands being described as "a tract 
on the west side of Hudson's river, in the county of Ulster, beginning 
on the north side of Quassaick creek, and extending northerly up the 
Hudson river on a straig-ht line two hundred and nineteen chains, 
and into the wcxjds on that side one hundred chains, containing' two 
thousand one hundred and ninety acres;" which said tract had been 
"divided int(j nine lots, the which are numbered from one to nine, 
each lot containing a suitable quantity for each family to which they 
are appropriated, there being allowed for each head fifty acres, and 
five hundred acn.'s for a Glebe." Some changes were asked by the 
grantees. He desired that the farm assigned to him be added to the 
north side of the Glebe and the same quantity given to him on the 
south side. This was granted; but the application to omit from the 
patents conveyance to "the wives and children" of the patentees, 
was not conceded. 



* " Joshua Kockerthal— 1 barrel of Lime, 3 Gouches, 2 formers, 1 Grindingstono, 1 
square, 1 rule, 1 compass, and several pieces more. Hermanus Schuneman — 2 Handsaws, 
1 great, saw, 3 Gouches, 2 Agors, and several pieces more. John Fischer — 1 Tenant Saw, 
1 Gimlet, 1 Hammer, 1 small hie, 1 hatchet, 1 Joyutor, besides several pieces more. 
Michael Weigand—1 great file, 1 smaller ditto, 1 mortising chisel, 1 Joynter, 1 Agor, be- 
sides several pieces more. Audries Volck— 1 Cross Cut Saw, 1 smooding plain, 1 wiping 
saw, another sett of Gouches, besides several pieces more. The widow Plettel— 1 wiping 
saw, 1 great hammer, 1 gimlet, 1 Tenant saw, besides several pieces more. Peter Rose — 
1 Glupott, 1 WhimpUiigpelts, 1 hatchet, 1 little hammer, 2 Agors, 1 Joynter, besides sev- 
eral pieces more. Jacob Weber — 1 box with white lead, Knife and Compass, 1 addz, 2 
Gouches, 1 mortising chisel, besides several pieces more. Isaac Turck — 1 Glupott, 1 box 
with white lead. Knife and Compass, 1 saw-tile, 3 Gouches, 1 fore plain, besides several 
pieces more. Lorenz Sch%visser— 1 grinding stone, 1 square, 1 little gimlet, 2 Agors, 1 
smooding plain, besides several pieces more. Henry Rennau— 1 Cross Cut Saw, 1 Miter- 
block, 1 acfdz, 2 Agors, 1 Gimlet, besides several pieces more. The Widow Wiernarm — 
Another sort of Smooding plain, 1 little tile, 1 hatchet, besides several pieces more. Isaac 
Feber— 1 Broad axe, 1 httle hatchet, 1 smooding lile, 1 rule, 1 former, besides several 
pieces more. Daniel Fiere — 1 Broad axe, 1 square, 1 Miter block, 1 Tenant saw, 1 Joynter, 
besides several pieces more. Melchior Gulch — Three full setts of Joyner-Tools." 



118 



HISTORY OF NEWBUROH. 



Before the linal allotment came some changes also occurred in the 
original company. Johannes Jacob Plettel died on his passage to 
America or soon after liis arrival, and his widow had married George 
Lockstead; Joshua Kockerthal had also died; Peter Rose had removed 
to Pennsylvania and transferred his interest to " one Burger Meynders, 
a blacksmith," for some years previously a resident of Kingston; Tiou- 
rents Schwisser, Isaac Turck, Isaac Feber, Ileinrich Rennau, and Daniel 
Fiere had removed elsewhere, and Christian Henricke and Peter John- 
son had been added to the company. These changes were recognized 
by the government, and the patent was issued December 18, 1719: " Lot 

No. 1, to George 
L o e k s t e a d and 
Anna Elizabeth his 
wife, M a r g a r e t , 
Anna Sarah, and 
Catharine, their 
children, 250 acres; 
No. 2, to Michael 
Weigand and Anna 
Catharine his wife, 
Tobias, (Jeorg'e, and 
Anna Maria, their 
children, 250 acres; 
No. 3, to Herman Schuneman and Elizabeth his wife, 100 acres; No. 4, 
to Christian Henricke, 100 acres; No. 5, to Sibylle Charlotte Kockerthal, 
the widow of Joshua Kockerthal, and to Christian Joshua, Benigna 
Sibylle, and Susanna Sibylle, their children, 250 acres; No. 6, to 
Burger Meynders, 100 acres; No. 7, to Jacob Webber and Anna Eliz- 
abeth his wife, Eve Maria, and Eve Elizabeth, their children, 200 acres; 
No. 8, to Johainies Fischer and Maria Barbara his wife, 100 acres; 
No. 0, to Andries Volck and Anna Catiiarine his wife, George, Hiero- 
nenms, Maria Barbara, and Anna Gertrude, their cliildren, 800 acres." 
To Melchior Gulch and Peter Johnson had previously been issued 
(Oct. 8, 1710,) patents for three hundred acres each, lying north of 
the principal tract. Forty acres were reserved for highways,* and 




GEUMAN I'ATENT. 

E — Western Avenue ; G — GHebe Laud; K— King's Highway. 



* The roads incliulod in the forty acres reserved for that purpose were what is now 
known as Wost(n-n Avonuo and Ijihcrty street. Western Aveinie formed the northern 
boundary of lot No. 8, and the southern bounihiry of hit No. 4, and extt-nded two chains 
in width from the river to the west bounds of the" patent. Liberty street, originally the 
" Kinf,'"s Highway," was opened by the ^fverunient prior to the issue of the patent; 
Western Avenue was not opened until nearly a century later. The settlers made other 
roads. One ran from the river, from a point in the vicinity of Second street, up the hill 
in a south-westerly direction along tlie bed of what is now part of Coldeii street, to the 
corner of First; thence to the corner of Grand and Western avenue, and from thence 
toward (Juassaiek creek, leaving the Cold Spring on the right. It was first called the 
" WallkiU road," and subsequently " Wagon street." It was the principal road to the 
river. The first dwelUugs were on the hue of Liberty sti-eet. 



PARISH BY qUASSAWK 119 



five hundred acres for a Glebe; and the wliole tract was to be known 
and called "The Palatine Parish by Quassaick." The Glebe lot was 
assig-ned t(t Andries Volck and Jacob Webber, and their successors, 
for the use and behoof of the Lutheran minister and his successors 
f(»rever,* for which puri)ose it was to be leas(!d at a certain quit-i-ent, 
in whole or in parcels, for terms not longer than sc^ven years, and 
was subject to th(^ annual payment to the provincial authorities of 
"one pepper-corn," if the same should be legally demanded. f 

From the ehurch books of the Lutheran congregation of New York, 
it appears that the successor of .b)shua Kockerthal was Justus Fal- 
conier, who, it is said, was baptized " in the house of one of the 
trustees, the 19th April, 1710," and continued to serve the people 
at Quassaick "vvo.vy year {I. e. by an annual visit), without any 
profit of the Glebe. He is deceased, 1723." 

Jn the year 1725, William Christoffer Bcrk(!runey(*r arriv<'d at New 
York, and entenul u])oii the duticss of pastor of the Liitlicriiii church 
there, and also tilhul the appointment of Falconier at Qinissaick. 
Meanwhile the two trustees of the Glebe, Andries Volck and Jacob 
Webber, had sold out their lands and removed to Pennsylvania, and 
tlx'ir places had been supjdied by Zachai'ias llofman and Tobias 
VVeigand, son of Michac^l WcMgand, who, in 1727, entered into a 
written contract with the consistory of tlu; Lutlun-an congregation of 
N<'W York, by the teams of which the congregation at Quassaick 
were received into the communion of the former body, they consenting 
"that the Lutheran ministiu- of New York, at his going to and from 
Albany," shouhl visit Quassaick parish twice in each yeai', for which 
service he should receive; the yearly rents and profits of the (ilebe. 
The contract continues as follows: "As we (tlu; trustees named) do 
herewith call, constitute and appoint Mr. William Christoflfen* Berken- 
mey(!r, Lutheran minister at New York, for our hivvfid teai^her of the 
parish of Quassaick to minister to us twice a ycsar, as well in preach- 
ing thi; holy scriptures, and the symbolic-al books of our Lutheran 



* " To have and to hold the s.aid Glebe of five hundred acres of the same tra(!t of land 
and premises unto the aforesaid Andries Volok and .JacolyWebli«a-, as first triistc^es during 
tlieir natural lives and tluir successors forever. Jiut, to and for the sole and only proper 
us(;, benefit and behoof of a Lutheran minister to serve and liavc^ tlu^ care of the inhabi- 
tants of the same two thousand one; hundred and ninety acn^s of land, und their succes- 
sors forever." 

+ All patents were conditioned upon the annual payment of a quit-rent. This payment 
was sometiuKm due in money, and often in wheat or other commodity "Twenty shillings 
and one fat buck per annum " was tlu^ rent of the Evans patent. The nmt of ont^ pepper- 
corn im|)lied a free grant. TIk' n^iits of the lai'ger patents produc'ed an annual revc^nne 
to th(! government of considerable amount. After tlie llevolution tlu^ rents Ixu'anu! due 
to the state. In 178G it was provided tliat lands subject to these rents jnight b(! rcileasc^l 
on the payment of arrears, and fourt(!en shillings to every shilling of fhe annual dues. 
Many titl(!S in fee were obtained under this coinnnitation ; therc^ wc^n^ also many forfeit- 
ure's and sales. The last sale took place in Maridi, lH2(i, and all the old rents fimilly 
extinguished. The arrears for (juit-naits, then amounting to I58,:!H0, were in IKl!) taken 
from the General fund and given in ecpial proportions to tlie Liter-ature and School funds. 



120 



HISTORY OF NEWS URGE. 



clnirch, as in administering the holy sacraments of Chinst's institution, 
promising- to pay him the income, &c., and acknowedg;ing" him as our 
teacher, as also whenever he lands upon our shore to receive him, 
and bring' him back on board the vessel. Moreover, since hitherto 
we can make no use of the bell given to our parish, we therefore give 
the said bell, by oral permission of his excellency (Governor Burnet, 
to the Tjutlieran church of New York., However, on this condition, if 
it should happen that we should be able to build a church of our own 
at any time hereafter, then the Lutheran church of New York shall 
restore to us the same bell, such as it now is, or another of equal 
weight and value. Signed, sealed, &c., March 8'^ 1727." Mr. Berk- 
enmyer served until 1781, receiving thirty chee^ of wheat.* 

In the year 1733, Michael Christian Knoll was appointed minister 
at " Quassaick creek. Weapon's (Wa])])inger's) creek, and Hacken- 
sack." He served in the parisli of Quassaick three times each year, 
receiving thirty cheeples of wheat each year. It was during his 

administration that the Pala- 
tines erected the building re- 
membered by many of the for- 
mer generation as the Glebe 
school house, which stood in 
the burying ground on Liberty 
street. This was their church. 
The precise date of its erection 
can not now be ascertained. — 
It was a building of perhaps 
twenty feet square, with a roof 
running up from the four sides. 
In the center of the r(^of a little 
cupola was erected in which 
hung the bell which had been 
loaned to the Lutherans of 
New York — the prior gift of 
Queen Anne. The building was without floor or chimney, an aper- 
ture in the roof, under the cupola, serving the latter purpose. In 
this building the people worshiped. In their poverty it was their 
palace; and not less acceptable to the Great Ruler than the costly 
edihces and gilded spires which men now dedicate to His service. 




THE LUTHERAN CHUBCH. 



* The agreement quoted appears to have been the result of a misunderstanding between 
Mr. Berkenmeyer and the Tahitines, in 1726, concerning the produce of tlie Glebe lands, 
to which he considered himself entitled for his services, and whi(jh for some cause was 
withheld. Berkenmeyer first laid liis complaint before the Governor, expecting him to 
interfere in his b(^half. The Governor, however, declined to act in the matter, and wrote 
him a letter pointing out his mode of relief, saying that the courts of law wore open to 
him where such cases were disposed of. The difiBculty was settled by this contract. 



P ARISE BY qU ASS AWK. 121 



While ttiese events were transpiring", a considerable change occurred 
in the population of the settlement. The Palatines were mainly 
fanners, and in the places of their nativity had occupied lands of the 
richest and finest soil, and such they song'ht to obtain in the New 
V\^)rld. The sterile hills of Quassaick ottered them no such attrac- 
tion, while those of their number who had found their way to Penn- 
sylvania had realized their expectations, and pressed their former 
neighbors to remove thither. Under these influences the majority of 
them sold their farms. The first sale was by George Lockstead and 
Michael Weigand, of the whole of lot No. 1, and half of lot No. 2, to 
Nathan Smith,* from whom the western part of both lots was pur- 
chased by VVillian^;r!j^)Vvn as attorney for Governor William Burnet,"}" 
and S(dd by him to Alexander Golden, who subsequently sold tcj Jona- 
than IIasbrouck.| The eastern part of lot No. 2, was sold by Michael 
NVeigand t(j William Brown, for Governor Burnet, and to Burger 
Meynders. The former sold the southern half of the lot to Alexander 
Golden, by whom it was conveyed (1753) to Jt)nathan Hasbrouck. 
Meynders occupied the north-eastern part of the lot until 1753, when 
he also sold to Hasbrouck, who thus became the owner of the largest 
portion of lots No. 1 and No. 2. Lot No. 8, was sold by Herman 
Schuneman to James Alexander, § from whom it was purchased by 
Alexander Golden and Burger Meynders, || except two acres at the 
north-east corner reserved by Alexander. Meynders subsequently 
sold to Jonathan Hasbrouck; and Golden cut up a portion of his 
share into small parcels. Lot No. 4, was sold by Ghristian Henricke 
to William Brown, for Governor Burnet, from whom it was purcViased 
by Gadwallader Golden for himself. Jacobus Bruyn, James Alexander, 
Piiineas McLitosh, Daniel Denton, Michael Dunning, and Henry Wile- 
man, by whom it was divided into lots and was subsequently known 
as "The Old Town of Newburgh Plot." | Lot No. 5, granted to the 
widow of Joshua Kockerthal, was sold by her children (1741) to 
James Smith, who sold one acre in the south-east corner to Alexander 



* Nathan Smith was a blacksmith by trade. He removed from Kingston and settled 
on the patent to William Chambers, (New Windsor), from whence he came to the parish 
of Quassaick. 

t " His Excellency Gov. WiUiani Burnet," is the language of the deed. Gov. Burnet 
was a son of the distinguished Bishop Burnet. He was governor of the province for a 
few yeai-s prior to 1728. 

X The eastern part of lot No. 1 descended from Nathan Smith to Henry and Thomas his 
sons, and was subsequently purchased by James Keuwick. 

§ James Alexander was the father of Wilham Alexander, who served as an officer in the 
war of the Revolution, and who is familiarly known in history as Lord Stirling. He 
attained considerable distinction in the colony, and was largely interested in lands, not 
only in what is now Orange county, but in other parts of the State. 

II Son of the original patentee. 

IT The reader will not confound this title with that of " Old Town," by which the Glebe 
lauds have been known in more modern times. Christian Henricke's land (lot No. 4,) was 
that section of the present city of Newburgh lying between First street and Western 
avenue. It will be referred to hereafter as being the first to bear the name of Newburgh. 



122 HISTORY OF NEWBUROH. 

Golden: the remainder descended to Benjamin Smith. Lot No. 6, the 
first one nortli of the Glebe, was sold by Burger Meynders to Burras 
Holmes. Lot No. 7, was sold by Jacob Webber to Zacharias Hofman, 
Au<j-ust 5th, 1724. Lots Nos. 8 and 9, were sold by Johannes Fischer 
and Andries Volck to Zacharias Hofman, February 20th, 1722.* 
Hofman held the lots until his death, when they were sold by his heirs. 
These changes brought the (ilebe lands into occupation to some extent 
by tlie families of the original settlers or their descendants who had 
not removed from the place, and by strangers who had rented them; 
they also brought to the Golden plots a number of inmiigrants. 

To the original settlers the new-comers were known as " the Dutch 
and English new inhabitants," terms which may be understood to 
mean "members of the English and Reformed Dutch churches." 
Their acquisition was nK)st i'avorable to the growth of the place. The 
association of which Governor Golden was the representative, was 
influential, and the fact tliat they had established a township plot on 
the tract was soon noised abroad. Daniel Denton, so well known in 
Long Island history, apparently took considerable interest in the 
matter and sent to the place his son James, and his neighbor Richard 
Albertson. Duncan Alexander, the son of James Alexander, was also 
added to the list of inhabitants; while conspicuous in his efforts to 
induce settlements on the tract was Alexander G<jlden, who, in fiirther- 
ance of the interest which he held, obtained (1743) the charter for 
the present Newburgh ferry, and at about the same time erected a 
grist-mill on the Quassaick. From a German settlement the place 
had passed, in 1743, almost wholly under the control of the Scotch- 
English, and had been inchoately christened with the Scotch name of 
Newburgh. Such possibilities as they saw in the " uplands " on 
which the Palatines had almost starved, to the latter were not vouch- 
safed, or if they were, they were without the means to secure. 

The increase in population brought with it also a change in the 
civil organizati(m of the district. When they were first established 
on the patent, the Palatines were not given local officers; justices 
and constables do not appear to have been known to them; the com- 
mission of crime is not rec(»rded against them: their church was their 
government. Yet civil authority was made accessible to them, and 
the hand of the government extended to them in tlie collection of 
taxes, as part of the specifically undefined territory of the precinct of 
the Highlands, which was created for that purpose by an order of the 
court of sessions of Ulster county, September 5, 1710. More definite 
boundaries and a move limited territory were given to the precinct in 



* The deeds from Webber and Volck are recorded in the UlHter county records. Webber 
sold for £110, and Volck and Fischer for £130, " to be divided between them." 



PARISH BY QUA SSA lOK. 123 



1743,* at which time "the parish by Quassaick" had become a com- 
paratively important portion of its composition. 

But to the church of tlie Palatines the influx of population was 
disastrous; under its touch this last link of tlieir association was 
dissolved. Resuming- the record, we find that Zacliarias Hofman, one 
of the trustees of the Glebe, died in 1744, and that <ui the 23d of June 
in the same year. Burger Meynders, Jr., was elected as his successor 
and "Tobias Weigand anew confirmed, which was done in the church 
there; none of the English and Dutch new inhabitants appearing, 
although they were knowing to our election." Three years later, on 
the 22d of July, pursuant to the terms of the patent, a meeting of all 
the inhabitants of the parish was held; and the new inhabitants, who 
were there in force, elected " Mr. Alexander Golden and Mr. Richard 
Albertson for their trustees," who took innnediate steps to open the 
church to a minister of the Church of England, one of whom, the 
Rev. Hezekiah Watkins, was then stationed in the district. 

The record continues: "Our (the Lutheran) minister coming there, 
did preach the 12th of July, without speaking to the new trustees. 
Sunday the 19th, tlie cluncli was full of people, taken out of the 
country from both sides of tlie river. Some justices of the peace, 
and some with swords and sticks, were there in the church, in presence 
of the English minister, Mr. Watkings, who was come there the first 
time the same Sunday. Our minister, after oral and public protest at 
the door of the churcli, went into a private house upon the Glebe, to 
do divine worship for the Lutherans. f In the year 1748, the 3d July, 
our minister preached in the church, to which Mr. Albertson did con- 
sent, because the English minister was not to come there that Sunday; 
but Mr. Golden did prohibit the church. The 2d October our minister 
was preaching in the church without speaking with the new trustees." 

This appears to have been the last visit made by "our minister," 
Mr. Michael Ghristian Knoll. In behalf of himself and others, he 
presented to Governcn' Glinton a petition, dated May 12, 1749, setting 
forth the facts of the case substantially as here given, stating further 
" that the Lutheran inhabitants living on the said granted lands, being 
now reduced to a small number, the present inhabitants have taken 
occasion to deprive your petitioners of the said church and Glebe; 



* Ante p. 36, 37, 38. 

t The tradition connected with this affair is, that tlie Lutlieraus attempted a forcible 
ejectment of the new inhaliitants, but failed. In the melee the dt>or of the church was 
forced from its hinges and one bulky Lutheran buried beneath it as it fell. He escaped 
with a few bruises, and the assailants retreated with most woeful countenances. 

There is another tradition, that the bell, previously noticed, was taken from its place 
secretly at night, and hidden in the swamp on the lands lately owned by William P. C. 
Smith, deceased; in which place it remained for thirty or forty y(^ars, when it was acci- 
dentally discovered, and returned to its proper place. The bc^U was subsequently placed 
in the cupola of the Academy, where it remained until 1831 or '32, 



124 HISTORY OF NEWBVRGH. 

and have lately hindered your petitioner, Michael Christian Knoll, 
IVoni iterforming service in it, and forbade the tenants to pay the rents 
to your said petitioner, pretending- that the said Glebe and church 
have reverted to the crown for want of Lutheran inhabitants to enjoy 
tlieni, notwithstanding- your petitioners do aver, that within a conve- 
nient distance from the said lands as great a number of Lutheran 
fainilies are living as an^ sufficient to make a congregation for divine 
service at those times when your petitioner, Michael Christian Knoll, 
by his agreement is called to preach at that place. Your petitioners 
therefore most humbly pray your excellency to grant to your peti- 
tioners, the minister and consistory of the Protestant Lutheran Church 
of New York, letters patent to confirm the said church and five hun- 
dred acres of land, for the use of a Lutheran minister for the benefit 
of the said Lutlierans in that neighborhood," &c. Aiujther petition 
on the same subject was submitted to the Governor, by the same 
parties, on the 5tii of October, 1749, in which it is positively asserted 
that " there live as tenants upon the Glebe and thereabout, on both sides 
of the river, more than thirty families " of the Lutheran confession. 
This paper and the documents accompanying it were read before the 
council, October 29, and the memorandum in reference to their dispo- 
sition is: "Read, and council of opinion that nothing can be done in 
this petitit»n." In other words, the terms of the charter having been 
complied with in the election of trustees, the council refused to set 
the result aside. 

The decision of the council practically terminated " The Palatine 
Parish by Quassaick," the original members of which had long previ- 
ously removed from it, or had been laid away in its quiet church-yard. 
As a people, they were earnest, good men and women. Wherever 
they or their neighbors of subsequent immigrations are met, their 
record compares favorably with that of the immigrants from any 
other country. No citizens of more substantial worth are found under 
the flag of this their native land than their descendants; no braver 
men were in the armies of the Revolution than Herkimer and Muhlen- 
berg. Had they done nothing in the parish but made clearings in its 
forests and planted fields, they would be entitled to grateful remem- 
brance; they did more — they gave to it its first church, and its first 
government; and in all its subsequent history their descendants have 
had a part. We close their record with wonder, not that they 
accomplished so little, but that they accomplished so much. 



PARISH OF NE WB UE GH. 125 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE PARISH OF NEWBURGH — SETTLEMENT OF ADJOINING PATENTS — PRECINCT 

OFFICERS — REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS — THE TOWN OF NEWBURGH THE 

GLEBE IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE— THE VILLAGE 
OF NEWBURGH INFIDELITY. 



THE affairs of the Palatine or Lutheran church and of the Glebe 
remained in the position which has been stated until 1751, 
when Edmund Concklin, Jr., William Ward, Jacob Wandel, James 
Denton, William Smith, Richard Albertson, Thomas Ward, John 
Wandel, Caklass Leveridge, Henry Smith, William Mitchell, Alex- 
ander Colden, Nathan Furman, Daniel Thurston, Michael Deniott, and 
Duncan Alexander, presented a petition to Governor Clinton and 
council, praying for letters patent conveying to themselves and their 
successors the Glebe lands, with a view to establish and maintain a 
minister of the Church of England, and a school-master; with power 
to divide the Glebe so as to reserve two hundred acres for the use of 
a minister and school-master, and cut up tlie remaining three hundred 
acres into lots of one acre each, which lots instead of being leased 
for seven years should be leased forever, the lease-holder paying an 
annual rent; and also with power to " h(jld a fair on the said lands on 
the second Tuesdays in April and October annually." 

Notwithstanding the earnest remonstrance of the Lutherans, the 
governor issued a warrant to William Smith, Esq., " ITis Majesty's 
Attorney-General," directing him to " prepare a draft of letters patent 
to Alexander Colden and Richard Albertson, trustees, &c., for tlie 
Glebe land of Quassaick, in the county of Ulster," in accordance with 
the terms of the petition, the lands to be held by the "said Alexander 
Colden and Richard Albertson, as first trustees, during their natural 
lives, and to their successors forever, for the sole use and behoof of a 
minister of the Church of England as by law established, and a 
school-master, to have the care of souls and the instruction of the 
children of the neighboring inhabitants." 

This was followed by a legal surrender, on the part of Colden and 
Albertson, of the lands held by them as trustees under the first 



126 HIS TOE r OF NE YVB UR OH. 



patent; and on tlic 2()tli day of March, 1752, the Icttcis patoiit previ- 
ously ordered by the <;-overiior and couneil were issued, " constitutinj;- 
them and their stu'eessois one body corpt»rate and politic, in fact and 
name, by the name of the Parixh of Newburijh T iind veslin,<;- in them 
the lands in (juestiou in trust "for the proper use, benelit and behoof 
of a minister of the t'hureh of Kno'laiid, as by law established, to 
have the eare of souls of the aforesaid tract of 211)0 acres of hind, 
and of a school-master to teach and instruct the diildren of tlie afore- 
said iidial)itaids, and their successors torever, and to no other use 
whatever." Tiie patent further g'ranted to tlie trustees and tlieir 
successors " free and full liberty and license to hold and keep a public 
fair upon the tract of 500 acres on tli(> second Tuesdays in Ai)ril 
and October in every year forever hereafter, where, as well all the 
inhabitants of the aforesaid tract of 2100 acres oi" land, as those in 
the neighboring" settlements and count i«>s, and all other persons what- 
soever, may buy and sell any horses, sheep and cattle, or any goods, 
wares and merchandise whatsoever, without |)aying any toll or other 
fees tor the same."* 

The provision for the maintenance of a school-master, and for an 
annual fair, as well as the denomination of the minister, were new 
features in the patent. Another new feature was the chaiig'e efl'ecte<l in 
the name of the settlement. Under the tirst |)atent it had borne, as we 
have shown, the title of Quassaick; and by this name the place was 
legally known until tlu' grant of the new patent, in which it was 
expressly directed that the settlement should be called "the Parisli of 
Newburgh." Pri>vious to the legal application of this name the place 
had been calh'd Newburgh by the " ni'w inhabitants," as already 
stated, f but at what precise period can not now be ascertained. In 
the petition o'i Alexander Colden, May 21, 1713, asking for letters 
patent to establish a ferry, it is said, " at a place now connnonly called 
Newburgh patent." In the petition of Colden, Albertson and others, 
Nov. 4, 1751, it is said: "at a place called Quassaick, now connnt)nly 
called Newburgh patent, in Ulster county." As both of these papers 
were drawn by Colden, and as the name is not found in any documents 
prior to 1713, it would seem that to Colden belongs the honor of 
having conferred the title which the town and the city now bear. 
The name is of Saxon origin, the word new being- the English orthog'- 



♦ Such faira are very common in England and Germany. In many of tlio counties of 
the province they were establisliod by special enactment of the Assembly at an early 
period. The fairs were held on the spot above named down to the stormv times of the 
Revolution, were resumed after the war, and were held at different periods as late as 1805, 
at which time they had dcfjenerated into mere exhibitions of race-horses. The last fair 
of which any record has been preserved, was held on Tuesday, October 14, 1805, when 
a pninium of f200 was awarded " to the jockey riding the best horse on the course of 
Benjamin Case."' 

t "The Old Town of Newburgh Plot"— ante p. 121. 




A ROUGH MAP OF THE GLEBE-1753. 



rARISII OF NEWBURGII. 127 



rii|)liy for tlii! Saxon neow, and hur-gh is the Saxon hurg with the 
Etig-lish addition of the letter h* 

One of the first (official acts of the trustees under the new patent 
was the division of th(! (Ilc^hc into streets and lots, ilir dcsi^nati)!}]^ 
of portions for the minister and school-inaster, and the repair and 
seating' of the ehureli building'. Soon after, a map was [)re[)ared 
showing the location of the stntets and lots. This map, indorsed "A 
Hough Map ol' the (Jh'hc Land of the Parish of N(;wl»ui'gh," is of 
interest for reference. T]u' streets laid out on it an^ continc^d t(» the 
(!lcl»c, with th(! exc(![)tiori of King street, and are: King', now Lib- 
erty; Second, now (irand; Ilasbrouek, now Moidgomery; Water, 
S(»utii, (Jlinton, Broad, and North. The stre(!ts named, however, with 
the exce|)tion of King and South streets, were not opened until a 
subsequent period. f The htts were occupied as follows: No. 1, by 
tlie church; 2, l)y three buildings owned by John Morrel and Doct. 
Morrison; I}, one dwelling by William Wanl; 4, one dwelling by 
Henry Bend; 5, one dwelling' unoccupied; G, one dwelling by Joseph 
Albertson; 7, two dwellings by Martin Weigand; 25, one dwc-lling 
by Henry Don; 25), one dwelling by William Ward; 41, one dwelling 
by William Ward, Jr. The remaining lots wer(? without buildings 
and occupied as follows: No. 8, John M. Young; 9 and 10, Patrick 
McCary ; 1 1 , Thomas Waters; 12, 24, 80, 48 and 00, Alexander Brower; 
18, Samuel Sands; 14, Mornd and Morrison; 15 and 40, William 
Ward, Jr.; 1(5 and 89, Joshiui Sands; 18, 58, 63 and 05, Joseph 
Albertson; 19, 81 and 48, J<mas Denton; 20, 32 and 44, Samuel 
Denton; 21, Isaac Brown; 22, Morris P'owler; 23, Thomas Brown; 
20, Charles McC.ary; 28 and 71, Abel Belknap; 38 and 45, Jonathan 
Ilasbrouek; 84, 85, 40, 47, 58, 59 and 70, Thomas Morrel; 87, Robert 
Morrison; 38, William Miller; 42, Th(mias Ward; 50, 57 and 09, David 
Connor; 51, Thaddeus Smith; 52 and 04, Jeremiah Ward; 55 and 07, 
James Tidd; 00, Nathan Smith; 73, Isaac Belknap; 17, 49, 54, 56, 61, 
02 and 08, and those west of King street, vacant. 

The records throw litth; additional light upon the period between 
the transfer of the Glebe t(j Colden and Albertson, and the events 



* It in reasonable to presiimo tliat had the name been conferred by the GermanH, in 
honor of the Elector John William, of the house of Newburg, it would not have been 
written with the final /(. 

+ The marginal notcH on this map are as follows : " Lots Nos. 1 and 27 are reserved for 
church and church-yards, and No. 72 for a p»il)lic landing and ship-yard. The owners of 
the lots below King street are : Capt. Jonathan Hasbrouck, No. 33 and 45 ; Samuel Den- 
ton, No. 20, 32 and 44 ; Jonathan Denton, No. 31, 43 and 19; John Morrel and Doct. 
Morrison, No. 2 and 14 : Wm. Ward, Jr., No. 3, 15, 64 and 76 ; Joseph Albertson, No. 6, 18, 
53, 63, 65, 67 ; Martin Weigand and others, No. 7 ; Patrick McCary, No. 9 and 10 ; Alex- 
ander Brower, No.! H, 12, 23, 24, 36, 48 and 60 ; Thomas Morreh No. 10, 22, 34, 46, 50, 
59, 35, 47, 70 ; Abel Belknap, No. 71 and 20 ; Isaac Belknap, No. 73. N. B.— South street, 
Broad street and North street are each two chains wide ; and all the rest each one chain. 
Each lot contains one acre of land, and is three chains and eighty-three links in length 
and two chains and sixty-five links in breadth." 



128 



lusroRY OF NmvBinunr. 



Ill 



III 




...iiiu'(li;it('ly i>riH'tMiiiiu' tlic lu'vulutiDii. Tlic IVw farts that wc liavi' 
g-atluM't'd, lidwcvcr, arc worthy a passiiiii' imtii'c in this history, as 
th«\v stMvc to iiuliratc llic |>roi>-irs8 of the paiisli. It was diiriiii;- this 
pcrioil that the triist('(>s ol' the (!h>l>t' cnH-tini a i-t'si(liMK'(> for their 
iiiistcr. and a ri'sidiMU'c and scliool-houso* roiiil>inod for their srliool- 

niastor. 'flir foiinci' was a 
bnihlin*;' about tliiitv-livc feet 
s(]nai'(\ a siiii;"U' story and attic 
in hci^'lit, with a rinU" jiortii'o. 
It stood on the j)arsoiiai;'e h«t 
on the west side o[' what is 
now Liberty street, just iiortli 
o[' (lidney avenue. It was 
hi'ri' that lU'/.ekiah Watkins, 
the fust Kni;-lish uiinistor. resi- 
iKnl. The buihiiiii;" ei>n(inued 
THK PAKsoNAiiK. to bo oeeiijiied as a parsonagH" 

until after the eoiuiiieneeiiienl o\' llie revobitionary war, and siibse- 
tjiUMitly beeaiiie a tenant house, 'flie sehoobniaster's hoiiS(> was a 
buihiinj;' ot siiiii- 
hir eonstriu'tion. 
and stood on tlie 
si' h o o 1 -master's 
h)t on wi'st si(h' 
of liberty, nearly 
opposite (Million 
street. It had no 
portieo, but was 
det'per tlian tlie 
parsoiiag-e house, 
the si'hool - room 
boins;' plaeed in 
the rear. In this 
rudiiiiental eol- 
K\i^'e lliitehins and Spierin presided, and n"ave iiistruetiou on the ohl- 
fasliioneil rule of Oaboll and bireh roils; inadi" i;"ood seholars in 
" reatlin-;-, writing- and arithmetie," and g-radiiated at least two melio- 
rations of worthy members of society. 

In 17(57, doiin Mtu'rtd and Joseph .\lbertsoii petitioned (Jovernor 
llenrv Moore for the establisliiuiMit t»f more taverns at Newburi>'li. In 
this petition it is stated "that on ttu> tilelu' land there are about sov- 




THK SCHOOL-HOUSE. 



• It has been supposed that the Glebe school was kept in tlie old eluiR'h; but this is a 
mistake. The elunvh was not used as a sohool-honso until alter 18()i. 



PARISH OF NEWliURGII. 



129 



eritccn dwelling' houses,* wliicli are siliiated at or close l)y a very 
jjuhlic laii(linf>- [)lacefoii llndsoii's river, wliitlier iiiaiiy people Iroiii 
the liack parts of the coiiiitry bring- their produce to send it t(i New 
York, having' at least three boats Ixdongiiig to the |)lace thatcoustautly 
go from thence to New York and return back again with goods, which 
creates a very consideral)le trade;;" that in oi'der to acconunodatc* 
tliis trade, it iiad been thought ucicessary, lor several years previous, 
"to permit taverns or public houses to be set up at or neni' the 
said landing" for the better "entertainment of the country [)eople; 
that "until al)out two years ago," one of tlie petitioners had been 
])erniitted to set up a tavern and retail li(|uors, and kcspt "a very 
good and orderly house." | Notwithstanding th(!HC facts, "one .James 
McClaglii'y, one (tf the commissionei's for colhscting the duty of excisi; 
for strong li(iuors, &c., in the county," had I'cfused to grant permits 
to tlie petition(;rs; but had "grantcnl a permit only to one Mai'tin 

Wygant,§ who pays thnu; fXMinds 
i'lii' tli(! excise, whereas all the re- 
tailers together in the place when 
lliey were permitted did not pay 
moi'c than two pounds." The peti- 
tioners urged the "absolute neces- 
sity for at least three or four tav- 
erns at tiie said landing place, to 
acc^ommodate the C(iunti'y people, 
travelers and passengers;" and that 
unless so many tavei'iis were licensed, the place would " become of no 
account and be deserted by its inhabitants." The petition bears date 
February 4tli, 1707; and (he statements contained in it are certified 
to by eighty-threes persons " inhabitants of the county of I'lstcr," 
whose names show the change in the poi)ulation of the settlement. 
What answer was given to this petition does not appear; but as 
the place has since Ix'come of some "account," it is reasonable to 
snpi)ose that the |)rayer of the petitioners was granted, and that the 
dire calamities predicted, in case of refusal, were thus averted. It is 
a little amusing to note the language of tiie inhabitaids of tiiis august 




weioand's i'avebn — 17(>7. 



* The number of dwellingH Jkto p;iv(!n establishes tho prior date of the map at page 127 

t What was afterwards known as Powell's dock, at the foot of First street. 

it Joseph Alhertson was tlu^ person horc^ referred to. His house was on Liberty street, 
south of ]}r()ad. 

§ Martin Wc^igand's tavern, represented in the (uigraving, stood on tlie north side of 
JJroad street, near LilxTty. It was a wwrv, log-cabin with a frame additiim. During thi^ 
encainpinent at Newlnu'gh, fitiueral Wayne hail his quarters ther<^ About 1780 VVeigand 
r(!inoved to a more (sonumxlious building on Liberty street, just north of the burying- 
ground, and the old tavcTii was ocou|)ied i)v the father of (}en. John E. Wf)ol, and was tho 
birth ])lace of that olliccr. Martin Weigand was a grandson of the original settler, 
Michael Weigand. 

09 



130 HISTORY OF NEWBUROH. 



village of "about seventeen houses," and their reference to "people 
from the country." * • 

We next have, under date of November 17, 1769, a petition to Cad- 
vvalhider Colden, lieutenant governor, and at that time acting governor 
of tlu; province, asking for a charter for the Newburgh Mission. This 
petition is signed by John Sayre, missionary; Chas. Robie, Cad. Col- 
den, Jr., Samuel Fowler, and Joseph Watkins, vestrymen; and Robert 
Carscaden, Andrew Graham, and Josiuh Gilbert, church wardens; and 
recites: "that by the pious donations of several persons" the mission 
was then in possession of sundry tracts of land "now held f()r the 
cliurch by deeds of trust only;" and that from "the inconvenience 
arising from this and sundry other matters" in which the good of the 
church was essentially concerned, the petitioners humbly prayed for a 
royal charter, which was granted. 

In 1770, April 1(5, John Sayre, missionary, Samuel P\)wler, William 
Ellison, John Ellison, Stephen Wiggins, Leonard Smith, Samuel 
Winslow, and Nathan Purdy, petitioned Governor Colden for " a, 
royal cliarter of incor[)oration of St. George's church, in the parish of 
Newburgh, and county of Ulster," which was granted, f 

Passing fnim tlie parish of Newburgh to the adjoining patents, 
which have been enumerated, | the following facts are of record in 
regard to their original proprietors and to their sale and settlement: 

The Baird patent was issued to Alexander Baird, Abraham Van 
Vlecque, and Hermanns Johnson. It was sold to Governor William 
Burnet, who through his attorney, William Brown, of Salem, Mass., 
sold 250 acres to Arthur McKinny, April 24, 1745; 250 acres to 
Andrew Todd, June 1, 1749; and twenty-six lots, numbered from four 
to thirty, to Samuel Belknap, December 25, 1749. The latter sold 
thirteen of the lots to his brother Thomas, § in 1754; one lot to Mor- 



* Tlie si<?iiaturos are : Samuel Falls, Edward Falls, Isaac Hodge, Thomas Orr, Henry 
Smith, Thomas Smith, Jacob Gillis, Saml. Fowler, John Stilwill, Jas. Demot, Joel Holmes, 
Isaac Demot, Daniel Denton, John Flewwelling, Abel Flewwelling, Josiah Cone, Daniel 
Dm-land, Silas Leonard, Nathl. Conklin, James Denton, John Alston, Burrughs Holmes, 
Henry Terboss, John Porter, William Harding, Lemuel Conkhn, Hendrick Cropsey, Joseph 
Hallett, Jacob Haiett, John Flewwelling, Mauris Flewwelling, Tunes Dalson, JohtiDalson, 
Jacob Douchtout, Corneles Gale, Thomas Hard. John Elsworth, Benjamin Totten, Josha- 
way Conklin, John Truesdell, Gilbert Purdy, Nathan Purdy, Isaiah Purdy, Joshua Purdy, 
Leonard Smith, Luff Smith, Anning Smith, Daniel Smith, Gilbert DentonJ Pete Ston, John 
Wier, Hen. A. Gamble, Nathan Purdy, Elijali Carman, Nehemiah Denton, James Tound- 
send, Isaac Brown, Stephen Albertson, Obadiah Smith, Da^id Wyatt, Hezekiah Wyatt, 
Thadeus Smith, John Wandle, Isaac Shults, John Carman, William Ward, Robert Morri- 
son, Mary Wilson, widow, John Fox, Stephen Hooper, John Hallen, John Vangonder, 
Benjamin Smith, Elnathan Foster, Wm. Booyls, llobert Car Harding, Thos. Morrel, Danl. 
AcCor, John Bride, Jacob Wandel, Jacob Ansell, Wm. Whitehead, Richard Albertson. 

t This charter is still preserved in the archives of St. George's church. It was granted 
May 2d, 1770. 

+ Ante p. 112. 

§ Belknap paid £1500 for the lots, and sold one half of them to his brother Thomas for 
£826. At that time it required ten pounds (olfl tenor) to make one pound sterling. 
Belknap paid, therefore, £150 sterling, or $:J75 (New York standard), for his lots. This 
rule of computing poimds will apply to all other sales of lands at that time or prior. 



SETTLEMENT OF PATENTS. 131 



gan Powell, in 1761; part of a lot to Josiah Talket, in 1765; part of 
a lot to Felix McLannen, in 1765; part of a lot to James Stickney, in 
1766; four lots to Isaac Belknap, in 1763; four lots to Abel Belknap 
and four to David Belknap, in 1766. Thomas Belknap sold one lot to 
Samuel Sprao-ue, in 1761, and part of a lot to Robert Beattie. Beat- 
tie was also the purchaser of a lot from William Brown in 1769. The 
Belknaps and tlu^ purchasers from them, with thc^ exception of Beattie, 
were Massachust'tts people, and were the first principal colonists of 
New England who removed hither. For a number of years their 
settlement was known as Btdknap's ridge, but more recently has been 
classed as Coldenham from the district post office of that name. 

The Kip)) iind Cruger patent was issued to Jacobus Kipp, John 
Cruger, Philip ('ortlandt, David Provost, Oliver Schuyler, and John 
Schuyl<M\ It included the district east, north and west of Orange 
lake, and adjoined the Baird patent on the south.* It was the most 
densely timbered, and the latest in occupation of any of the patents 
except that to Bradley and Jamison. It was divided into six parts, 
which wei'e sub-divided into farm lots. Early deeds are not recorded; 
but tradition aftirms that Silas Gardner, with a number of lumbermen, 
entered the district on the south-east, in 1767, and established the set- 
tlement known as Oardnertown. Henry W. Kipp held a very consider- 
able portion of Jacobus Kipp's share, and is said to have built, prior 
to the Revolution, the house now occupied by Jeromus Thorne, and 
to have called the place " his Rocky Forest." Nicholas Stevens was 
a purchaser from him. William Lu])ton held tlie Cruger interest, in 
whose honor Mr. Solomon Birdsall conferred the name of Luptondale. 
Alexander McCoy was a tenant or settler under him, and Michael 
Redmond and John Abrams among the earliest purchasers. . A colony 
of Friends iVom Westchester county, composed of Daniel, Zephaniah 
and Barak Birdsall, John Sutton, and John Thorne, settled on the 
patent about 1791. Daniel Birdsall bought the place which McCoy 
had partially cleared, and found there a log house with a bark roof, 
which he occupied. Barak Birdsall bouglit of Henry W. Kipp, and 
subsequently became the owner of the Nicholas Stevens place. The 
Birdsalls are still largely represented in the district. 

The settlement of the Bradley and Jamison patent cannot be traced 
in early records. It is said that Johannis Snyder and John Crowell 
were first purchasers there. St. Andrew's church subsequently held 
an interest in the patent and sold farms. 

The Wallace patent was to James Wallace alone. It was purchas- 



* Described as beginning " at three black-oak saplings on the east side of the great 
pond, seven chains to the northward of the eel fishing place or the begmning of Quassa- 
ick brook." The eel-fishing place must have been a resort of the Indians; it could not 
have been known to the English at that time. 



132 HISTORY OF NEWBURQH. 



ed by Joseph Penny, who sold 200 acres to Robert Ross, and settled 
upon the remainder with his seven sons, John, William, Robison, 
Joseph, Peter, James and Allen. Penny was from Wales, England. 
Ross was Scotch, and is said to have been the first settler on the 
patent and to have established the name of Rossville, although the 
patent itself became known as "the Penny patent." 

The Bradley patent was to Sarah, Catharine, George, Elizabeth, 
and Mary Bradley, and was taken in their name by their father, 
Richard Bradley, who was thus enabled to secure six tracts in sepa- 
rate locations (of which that in Newburgh was one), embracing 6000 
acres. It was purchased and settled in 1768, by John Foster, Wil- 
liam Foster, Richard Ward, and John Griggs. The Fosters being the 
most numerous, the settlement was called Fostertown. 

The Harrison patent was issued to Francis Harrison, Mary Tatham, 
Thomas Brasire, James Graham, and John Haskell. It was for 5,600 
acres, excepting and reserving 300 acres laid out for " Gillis, the 
German joiner," and 300 acres "for the children of or Peter Johnson." 
By subsequent transfers James Alexander, John Provost, and Daniel 
Gomoz* became interested in the patent. It was sold in several par- 
cels at different periods. The first purchaser was James Ellsworth in 
1716, whose lands were held by iiis widow and after her death sold 
by his son, William Ellsworth, to Samuel Stratton in 1753; Strattcm 
sold to Jehiel Clark. The share of James Graham passed to Jurie 
Quick in 1719, who sold to Zacharias Hofman (September 24, 1727). 
After the death of the latter the tract, as well as the lots held by him 
in the German patent, were sold by his heirs, among others to Joseph 
Bloomer in 1754, and Michael Demott and the Dentons and Flewwel- 
lings in 1764. James Alexander and John Provost sold to Arthur 
Smith and Jehiel Clark (May 9, 1751,) one half of the fifth part 
originally held by Haskell. Daniel Gomoz sold to Samuel and Daniel 
Ft)wler, November 6, 1747, the remaining half of that part, consist- 
ing (,)f 500 acres. The extreme northei-n portion of the patent was 
held at an early date by Jacobus Van Blarcken, whose interest was 
purchased by Wolvert Acker at sheriff's sale in 1772. The Smiths, 
Clarks, Bloomers, and Fowlers, were English people, and were mainly 
from Westchester county. Van Blarcken and Acker were also from 
Westchester, but of Dutch extraction. With the exception of the 
Belknap colony, none of the settlers had a more controlling influ- 
ence in the early history (jf the town than those who occupied the 
Harrison patent, which, with the reservations above stated, covered 
the district now known as Middlehope. 



* "Written on the Tax-roll of 1724, "Gomoz, the Jew." He was a merchant of New 
York city. 



PRECINCT ORGANIZATIONS. 133 



The Spratt patent was in two parcels — 2000 acres in Ulster and 
1000 in Newburg-h — and was issued to Andries Marschalk and John 
Spratt, the latter taking the Newburg-h tract as his "one-third." It 
was purchased by Joseph Gidne}^, in 1760, and settled by his four 
sons, Joseph, Daniel, David, and Eleazer, from whom it took the 
name of Gidneytown. 

The Gulch patent was to Melchior Gulch, and his wife and children, 
precisely as were the lots in the German patent. A portion of it passed 
to John Fowler, and from him to Daniel Kniffin, in 1758; afterwards 
to Underbill Merritt, and more recently to the late Daniel Merritt. It 
is recorded as having' been issued to Gellis, Gillis or Jellis, Melchior 
or Melchor, "the German carpenter, now in his possession and occu- 
pation." The portion retained by his family descended to Jacob 
Gillis, as the name came to be written, who held it by right of primo- 
geniture until about the commencement of the war of the Revolution. 

The patent to Peter Johnson* is not of record, but depends for its 
existence upon the reservations in the Harrist)n patent. With the 
Gulch patent, which it adjoined, it was the first occupied land in the 
north-east part of the town. There is no record of its transfer. 

The patent for 300 acres to Harrison and Company was to supply 
a deficiency in the first patent. 

The increase in population resulting from the settlement of these 
patents, brought with it a change in the organization of the precinct. 
The old precinct of the Highlands, after serving the purpose of its 
creation for fifty years, gave way, in 1762, to the precincts of New- 
burgh and New Windsor, into which it was divided f — the latter being 
constituted substantially as the town now is; while the former embra- 
ced the towns of Marlborough and Plattekill, in Ulster county, as well 
as the present town and city of Newburgh. Under the act establish- 
ing this division, the first annual meeting for the election of precinct 
officers was held at the house of Jonathan Hasbrouck (now known as 
Wasliington's Head-quarters), in the parish of Newburgh, on the first 
Tuesday in April, 1763, | when the following officers were chosen, viz: 
Samuel Sands, clerk; Jonathan Hasbrouck, supervisor; Richard Har- 
per, Jf)hn Windfield, and Samuel Wyatt, assessors; Daniel Gedney and 
Benjamin Woolsey, poor-masters; John McCrary, John Wandel, Burras 
Holmes, Isaac Fowler, Umphrey Merritt, and Thomas Woolsey, path- 
masters; and Nathan Purdv and Isaac Fowler, fence-viewers and 
appraisers of damages. After continuing for ten years, the precinct 
was again divided, and the Marlborough and Plattekill settlements 
erected as the precinct of New Marlborough. This division left to 



* Peter Jansen and " Peter Jansen's estate," on Tax-rolls 1714-17. t Ante p. 38, 39, 
I The records of the town of Newburgh begin with this election. 



134 mSTORY OF NEWBUEGH. 



the precinct of Newburgh the territory covered by the patents already 
named, and its date (Dec. 11, 1772,) is practically that of the organiza- 
tion of the subsequent town of Newburgh. John Flew welling, super- 
visor, and Samuel Sands, clerk, were its first principal officers chosen 
at the election in April, 1773. 

Such was the condition of the precinct of Newburgh when the 
discussions which preceded and produced the Revolution, fixed the 
attention and engaged the sympathies of the people. When the news 
of the Boston massacre was wafted hither from New England, followed, 
as it was, by the tidings that patriot blood had been shed at Lexing- 
ton — wlien the shock came 

"That hurled 
To dust, in many fragments dashed and strown, 
The throne, whose roots were in another world " — 

a large majority embraced with unflinching zeal the cause of their 
country. Yet few localities in the province were more immediately 
under the influence of officers of the crown than was Newburgh. 
Lieut. Governor Golden had his residence within a few miles of the 
village, and in the vicinity there were other persons intimately con- 
nected with the government whose influence tended to secure a degree 
of favor for the British ministry that would not otherwise have been 
obtained. After Colden's death, his son, Cadwallader, became the 
leader (if he was not so previously) of the opposition, and was re- 
garded by the whigs as especially " mischievous." * Aside from the 
influence exerted by the Coldens, other causes contributed, more or 
less, to divide the people of Newburgh on the great issue presented 
for their consideration; and it is a matter of surprise that in a popu- 
lation like that which then occupied the precinct, so many were found 
ready to peril life and fortune in the seemingly desperate strife. 

The drama of the Revolution opened in Newburgh, as in so many 
other places, on the passage of the non-importation resolutions by 
the continental congress in 1774, which resulted in the formation, in 
every city, town and precinct, of a "Committee of Safety and Obser- 
vation." The city of New York took the lead by organizing a com- 
mittee of one hundred, of which Isaac Low was chairman, and by 
sending circulars to all the towns and precincts in the province urging 
the formation of simiUir connnittees. About the same time a pamphlet 
entitled " Free Thoughts on the Resolves of Congress," made its 
appearance and was scattered broadcast over the land. The people 
thus had the question fairly before them, and in their local meetings 
discussed the points involved. The result was soon apparent. The 



* " In the midst of our troubles with these rebels, we are greatly satisfied to hear that 
their leader, the mischievous Major Golden, has been arrested."— Palme); March, 1777. 



REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 135 



precincts of Shawang-iink, Hanover, Wallkill, New Windsor, and New- 
burgh, in January, 1775, publicly burned the pamphlet, and at the 
same time organized the committees proposed. In Newburgh, a 
meeting was held at the house of Martin Weigand, on the 27th of 
January, 1775, when Wolvert Acker, Jonathan Hasbrouck, Thomas 
Palmer, John Belknap, Joseph Coleman, Moses Higby, Samuel Sands, 
Stephen Case, Isaac Belknap, Benjamin Birdsall, John Robinson, and 
others, were appointed a " Committee of Safety and Observation." 

The first duty devolving upon this committee was to attend a con- 
vention at New Paltz on the 7th of April, for the purpose of selecting 
delegates to a provincial convention to be held at New York on the 
20th of the same month. Newburgh was represented in the New 
Paltz meeting by Col. Jonathan Hasbrouck, Thomas Palmer, Wolvert 
Acker, and John Belknap, who voted to send Charles DeWitt, George 
Clinton, and Levi Pauling to the provincial convention, with full power 
" to declare the sense of this county relative to the grievances under 
which His Majesty's American subjects labor." 

On the 29th of April following, the committee of New York drew 
up and signed a pledge to observe and maintain the orders and reso- 
lutions of both the continental and provincial congress, and sent it 
for signatures to all the preciticts and counties in the province.* 
Immediately on receiving the proceedings of the New York committee, 
the Newburgh committee placed a copy of the pledge at the hotel of 
Martin Weigand for sigiiatures. The great mass of the people came 
forward voluntarily and subscribed their names; but a few timid ones, 
anticipating that the result of the controversy would be disastrous, 
or unwilling to risk the displeasure of the crown, shrank from the 
test, and the committee found it necessary to adopt energetic measures 
to induce them to unite in the movement. For this purpose a meeting- 
was held at the house of Martin Weigand (May 15), and Wolvert 
Acker appointed chairman, and Cornelius Hasbrouck clerk. Resolu- 
tions were passed instructing the committee to visit those who had 
" neglected or refused to sign the association, and in the most friendly 
manner invite them to sign the same; f tliat those refusing to sign " on. 
or before the 29th uf this instant" should be "deemed enemies of 
their country ;" that, in the opinion of the committee, " no person or 
persons whatsoever " should " have any kind of connection or dealings 
with " those who withheld their names, and that whosoever should 
have " any such connection ought to be treated in like manner, and 



* American Archives, Vol. II, 471, 4th series. Ante p. 85. 

t Coercive measures to hiduce persons to sign the association were forbidden ; " the pro- 
priety of the measure, and the necessity of maintaining a perfect union in every part of 
the colony," being regarded as sutficient to induce signatures. Freedom of opinion was 
distinctly recognized. 



136 



HISTORY OF NEWBURQH. 



bo considered as an enemy of his conntvy, notwithstanding he may 
liave sio-ned tlie association."* In other words, social ostracism was 
pronounced against a few well-known individnals, as the sequel shows, 
wiiu were occupying the common ground of loyalty to the king — 
which (>vcn the niemhers of the association professed — but wlu) were 
also already quite active in inviting liostility to tlie movement for a 
"redress of grievances," and were especially instigating the negro 
slaves of the precinct to take part against their masters, f 

On the 19th of May, the provincial congress directed the committees 
holding tli(> pledge to return tiie same before the 15th of July "with 
the names of the signers and tliose who refused to sign;" and in 
accordance witli this requirement, Wolvert Acker, the chairman of 
the Newburii'li committee, made, on the 14tli of Julv, the return called 
for on behalf t)f the precinct, embracing the names of one hundred 
and seventy-four persons wiu» had signed the associati(m, and tifty-four 
wlio had refused to do so. as follows: 



Col. Jona. Haabrouek, 
TlKiiiiiis Palmer, 
Isaao Boikiiap, 
William Darlmtr, 
Wolvert Aeker, 
Joliii r.elkiiai), 
John Robinson, 
Saial. (^lark, 
Benj. Birdsall, 
Benjamin Smith, 
James Wauirh, 
Abel Belknap, 
Moses Hiijby, 
Henry C'rojisey, 
Wm. Hanlinir', 
Joseph Belknap, 
John Strattoii, 
Lewis Holt, 
Saml. Hallock, 
Samnel Spra,y;ne, 
Burrousrhs Holmes, 
Samuel Boml, 
Thomas Campbell, 
Janios Cosmau, 
Lewis Clark. 
Jonathan Sweot, 
Ken ben Tooker, 
David Belknap, 
Daniel Birilsall, 
Robert Lockwood, 
Benj. Knap. 



SIGNERS OF THE PLEDGE. 

Nieholas Stephens, 
Johannis Snider, 
BiMijamin Robinson, 
Andrew Spraf;ue, 
Thomas Beaty, 
Solo. Bnekinirham, 
Wm. Bowdisii, 
Jona. Belknap. 
Jaeob Tremper, 
Abraham Smith, 
Cornelius Wood, 
John Lawrenee, 
George Hack. 
John Shaw, 
Corns. Hasbro\ick, 
Isaae Demott. 
David Smith, 
John Stratton, 
Absalom Case, 
Joseph Dunn, 
Daniel More wise, 
Jonathan Owen, 
Jehicl Clark, 
Reuben Holms, 
Nath'l Coleman. 
George Leonard, 
Elnathan Foster, 
Neal MeLean, 
Wm. Palmer, 
Martin Weigand, 
Wm. Foster, 



John Tremper, 
Charles Willett, 
Jeremiah Dunn, 
" Wm. Lawrenee, 
Robert Waugh. 
Wiirgins Conklin, 
Roiiert Beatty. Jr., 
Abr'm Johnston, 
Silas Sperry, 
James Clark, 
David Mills, 
Caleb Cofliu, 
James Harris, 
Theo. Hagaman, 
Wm. Dunn, 
Neliemiah Cari)enter, 
Leonard Smith, 
Wm. Day, 
Jolm Wandel. 
Abel Thrall. 
Phineas Corwin, 
Moses Hunt, 
Samuel Sands, 
Jaeob Couekliu, 
Joseph Price, 
John Saunders, 
George Westlako, 
Burger Weigaud, 
Tunis Keiter, 
Hugh Quigly, 
Daniel Darbv. 



* Archives U06, Vol. 11, 4th series. 

t Very stringent measures were adopted to hold the negroes from assisting the king. 
At the meeting referred to (May 15), it was resolved, "that any person owning negroes 
in this precinct shall not. on aiiy account whatever, sutler them to be absent from his 
dwelling-house or farm after sundown, or send them out in the daytime oft" their farm 
without a pass; and in ease any negroes be found abroad, contrary to the above resolve, 
they shall l>e apprehended and caused to receive thirty-tive lashes, or any number less, 
as the said committee shall di'cm proi)er." At a later i)eriod, when the militia was eaUed 
away, a guard was maintained to prevent the negroes from insurrectionarv violence. 
Slavery, always a source of weakness to the republic, was especially so during the struggle 
for independence ; although to the honor of the slaves be it said tliat the majority of them 
were faithfid to their masters. 



HEVOL UTIONA R Y EVENTS. 



187 



Saml. Westlake, 
Josiali Ward, 
Silas Gardner, 
Jacob Gillis, 
Wm. Kenoaden, 
Jamos Denton, 
John FoHter, 
Hope Mills, 
John Coanian, 
Win. Wear, 
Tiionias Fish, 
Wni. liawrence, Jr. 
John Kernoghan, 
ll(jbert Hanmer, 
Kobert Boss, 
John drowel, 
Oiiadiah Weeks, 
Francis Hanmer, 
William Bloomer, 
Abraham Garrison, 
James Marston, 
Samuel Gardiner, 
AnniiiL,' Smith, 
Uicdiard Albertson, 
IJenj. Lawrence, 
llichard Buckingham, 
Jacob Morewise, 



Nehemiah Fowler, 
Stephen Wiggins, 
Isaiah Purely, 
•^Gilbert I'nrdy, 
Nathan Purdy, 
*John Wiggins, 
*Jam(^s Leonard, 
*M()rris Flewwelliug, 
*Anthony lieatlebron, 
*Danifl Hains, 
*Daniel Denton, 
Daniel Denton, Jr., 
*George Merritt, 
Adam Patrick, 
*Gabriel Travis, 
John Wiggins, Jr.,- 
Joseph Gedney, Jr., 
George Devoll, 



Wm. Wilson, 
Wm. Stillwell, Jr. 
Peter Donally, 
Charles Tooker, 
Leonard Smith, Jr. 
Henry Smith, 
Jam(!s Wooden, 
Thomas Smith, 
Caleb Case, 
David Green, 
John Stillwell, 
Lufi' Smith, 
John Gates, 
Benj. Darby, 
Israel Smith, 
Thads. Smith, 
Jacob Myers, 
Saml. Concklin, 
Isaac Brown, 
Peter Tilton, 
John Douaghy, 
Ste. Stephenson, 
John Griggs, 
Saml. Smith, 
Jeremiah Ward, 
Wm. Ward, 
Wm. Rnssel, 

PERSONS HEFUSINQ TO SIGN. 

Thomas Fowler, 
Stephen Wood, 
*Abel Flewwelling, 
Jonathan Pine, 
*Sanm(d Fowler, 
Josei)h Cope, 
Kazael Smith, 
Jona. Brunbridge, 
Jose])h Headloy, 
Benj. Lewis, 
Peter Aldrige, 
*John Flewwelling, 
Jacob Fry, 
James Perry, 
Jas. Patterson, 
David Gedney, 
George Elms, 
Nathan Purdy, Jr., 



Isaac Brown, Jr., 

Hezekiah Wyatt, 
Wm. Whitehead, 
Daniel Goldsmith, 
Gabriel Travis, 
Nathaniel Weed, 
John Weed, 
Daniel Duboise, 
Arthur Smith, 
Isaac Fowler, 
Stephen Outman, 
Saml. Stratton, 
Joseph Carpenter, 
Daniel Thurstin, 
John Fowler, 
Daniel Clark, 
Isaac Donaldson, 
Wm. Concklin, 
('harles Tooker, 
John Smith, 
Isaac Fowler, Jr., 
William Wright, 
Wm. White, 
Daniel Kniffen, 
Rob. Morrison, 
John Dolson, 
Leonard Smith, 



Daniel Purdy, 
Daniel Purdy, Jr., 
John Hendrick, 
*Isaac Barton, 
William Roach, 
David Ilorton, 
Theophilus Mozer, 
*Jonas Totten, 
Daniel Dorland, 
Daniel Rounds, 
John Morrel, 
Moses Knap, 
David Wyatt, 
Sanmel Denton, 
Thomas Orr, Jr., 
*Daniel Gedney, 
Jolm Elms, 
Joseph Penny. 



On the day on wliicli this return was forwarded, the pei'sojis whose 
names are marked in the preceding- list with an asterisk, came before 
the conunittee and made affidavit of their intention to abide by the 
measures of the continental congress, being- convinced that they had 
"no other alternative but to repel force by force, or submit to be 
slaves;" tiiat they would "discourage the spirit of opposition" which 
had prevailed, and bear and pay tlieir " (juota of all expenses" that 
might be incurred in the strugg'le; and that this their declaration 
was of their " owu free will and voluntary consent." This in(;reased 
the number of signers to one hundred and ninety-five, and reduced 
the number who sustained the king and iiis ministry to thirty-nine. 

With the return of the signatures, the organization of the "Com- 
mittee! of Safety and Observation" of the precinct of Newburgh was 
perfected, and that body installed as its revolutionary government, 
'i'he history of the revolutionary committees and tribunals of France 



138 mSTOR Y OF NEWB UR OH. 

has been written; the preceding committees and tribunals of the 
American Revolution are yet to be assigned the place which is due 
to them in the annals of the nation. Tlie government of New York 
differed from that of the New England colonies. The people of the 
latter, under their several charters, elected their own governors and 
legislatures; while those of tlie former had no such power, the gov- 
ernor being appointed by the king, and the governor's council com- 
posed of members of his selection.* In New England, therefore, the 
revolution could be carried forward without disturbing the existing 
order of things, while in New York the government had to be set 
aside, and, as in the case of the nation, a new one created. Pending 
this change, common law was maintained as far as practicable, while 
to these committees were assigned the powers inferentially declared 
in tlie pledge of association: "The necessity of preventing anarchy 
and confusion, which attend the dissolution of the powers of govern- 
ment," and " the preservation of peace and good order, and the safety 
of individuals and property." At first responsible only to the general 
committee of the city of New York, the local committees were subse- 
quently recognized by the provincial convention and its subordinate 
committee of safety, and invested with the control of the minute men, 
and all the duties of local revolutionary administration."}" If not 
always wise in tlieir action, they were vigorous in the enforcement of 
order and in promoting the means employed to secure the indepen- 
dence of the nation. I 

Scarce had the organizatit)n of the committee been perfected when 
active duties devolved upon it. A portion of those who had refused 
to sign the pledge, as well as a few who had signed the subsequent 
affidavit, were guilty of acts which, in its opinion, deserved punish- 
ment, and wiiich it was determined should be administered. The first 
instance of this character is reported to the provincial convention 
of New York in a joint letter from the connnittees of Newburgh and 
New Winds(U-, and read at a session of the committee of safety on the 
18th of July. The report is signed by Wolvert Acker and Samuel 
Brewster, and states that John Mori'el, Adam Patrick, and Isaiah 



* Ante p. 30. 

t The power to appoint assessors and collectors was given to the local committees, 
while the county committees were to be " considered as supervisors accordinj^ to the 
police of the city, county, town or precinct '' in which they had been chosen, and, with 
the assessors and collectors, were directed to assess, raise and collect the quotas to be 
raised tor the support of the revolutionary government, and were empowered to enforce 
collection "by distress upon the goods and chattels of the defaulters, as heretofore prac- 
tised."— Pro. Prov. Conv. 15, 18, 134, etc. 

i The powers of these committees were very greatly enlarged under the resolution of 
the continental congress of 1777, directing the state to " forthwith apprehend and secure 
all persons who have in their general conduct and conversation, evinced a disposition in- 
imical to the cause of America "—a measure deemed necessary, and which explains many 
of the subsequent arrests. 



REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 139 



Purdy, were not only " possessed of principles very inimical to the 
grand cause in whicli we are embarked, but whose conduct, ever 
since the commencement of these unhappy times, has been such as to 
disturb the public tranquility." * The persons named were arrested 
and taken to New York under guard, where they were examined by 
the committee of safety. They admitted many of the charges against 
them, and were ordered to be confined in the l)arracks; but were sub- 
sequently released " upon their contrition and promise of amendment," 
and the Nevvburgh committee instructed to treat them kindly unless 
they should commit further unlawful acts. 

Under date of October 27, 1*1*15, it appears that Stephen Wiggins 
and David Purdy, being deemed guilty of unlawful acts, were arrested 
by order of the committee and sent to New Y()rk;f but the final dis- 
position of tlieir case does not appear. In January, 17*16, Samuel 
Devine| was arrested and confined. He was subsequently released, 
but for some offense was again arrested in 1777, tried by court martial 
and sentenced to be hung. He was pardoned " under the gallows" 
by Governor Clinton. Samuel Fowler and Daniel Denton, who were 
among the signers of the affidavit, were also arrested and confined. § 
The Flewwellings were disaffected; and one of them joined Claudius 
Smith's band of cow-boys and was hung at Goshen in 1779. Rene- 
gades were also found among those who had signed the pledge of 
association, of whom Silas Gardner, || Benjamin Smith, Elnathan Fos- 



* "We herewith send you three persons, who not only possess principles very iuiniical 
to the grand cause in which we are embarked, but whose conduct, ever since the rirst of 
these unhappy times, has been such as to disturb tlie public tranquiUty and destroy that 
unanimity so necessary for the preservation of our hberties. Their names are Jolin Mor- 
rel, Adam Patrick and Isaiah Purdy. Herewith, gentlemen, you will also receive several 
depositions taken before John NicoU, Esq., relative to the matter, which is all we have 
time to take at present; these we submit to the judgment of the honorable Congress, 
whether cither or all of the persons accused be worthy of confinement or not.^'^ Archives. 

t " This is to certify, that we, the Committee of Safety and Observation for the Precinct 
of Newburgh, for the apprehension of two persons, viz: Stephen Wiggins and David 
Purdy, did request and command Capt. Samuel Logan, of the miiuite company at New 
Windsor, to assist with eleven of his men in apprehending the said persons, he having 
attended and assisted one day and a half, with himself at the head of the following per- 
sons, viz: John Robinson, ensign: David Mandevill and John Schofield, sergeants; one 
corporal; one clerk, and six privates. Capt. Logan's account, signed by Mr. Acker, our 
chairman, for the expenses of himself and men, for the time above certified, is just; and 
for his own and men's wages, we refer to be calculated by you." — Archives. 

t Samuel Devine was arrested on testimony that he had "repeatedly drank damnation 
to the congress and all the whigs; and furthermore had called the whigs a pack of rebels." 

§ Aug. 18, 1788 — Samuel Fowler, arrested as a person of " equivocal and suspected char- 
acter " — refused the oath of allegiance and was confined by the committee. Sept. 4, 1778 
— Daniel Denton arrested as a person of "equivocal and suspected character" — refused 
the oath and was confined. — Clinton jtapers. 

II Silas Gardner was arrested in April, 1777, charged with "levying war against the 
United States of America, holding correspondence with and assisting the enemies of the 
said states." He appears to have been guilty of correspondence with the enemy and to 
have associated with others in what has been modernly termed an " underground rail- 
road " for passing through the country those who wislied to join the British either in 
Canada or New York. His last act in this line was the safe conduct of the wife of Sir 
John Johnston to New York, for which service Sir John sent him a ring. He was trii^d by 
court martial at Fort Montgomery, and sentenced to be hung; but was pardoned under 
the gallows and confined, but released on parole in 1778. — Proc. Prov. Vunv. 



140 HISTORY OF NEWBimOH. 

ter, David Wyatt, and others were arrested and confined for indefi- 
nite periods, * and subsequently released on parole. 

Without pursuing- the inquiry, the fact will be recognized that 
there were in the precinct a number of persons who were known as 
tories, embracing those who had consistently maintained their alle- 
giance to the king and those who, although willing to unite to secure 
reform on "constitutional principles," were opposed to the separation 
of the colonies from the English government — the latter class spring- 
ing up after tlie adoption of the declarati(m of independence, a meas- 
ure which brought indeed a sifting time, and threw into the ranks of 
the king's friends some of the early leaders of the original move- 
ment.f Had they been left to themselves perhaps the great majority 
of them would have remained neutral, but they were constantly under 
the spur of association with the officers of the discarded government 
who required proof of the sincerity of their fidelity to the crown. 
Tliat they were troublesome and vicious under this influence no one 
will doubt; that the indignation of tlieir neighbors which was kindled 
against them was not justified, cannot be conceded. That the whigs 
committed excesses, or were too hasty and severe in tlieir punish- 
ments, may have been true in some cases ;| yet the whigs themselves 
discriminated between their opponents, driving one class from the 
C(mntry, but suffering the other to enjoy their possessions, and their 
descendants to stand as the peers of their own children in the national 
temple which they erected. It is not for the present or for future gen- 
erations to appeal from the justice of that discrimination. 

The reorganization of the militia of the precinct received the early 
attention of the committee, and was conducted in conjunction with 
the general committee of the county of Ulster, for the southern dis- 
trict of which a new regiment was constituted (Sept. 2, ITTS), com- 
posed of the following field officers: Jonathan Hasbrouck, colonel; 
Johannes Hardenbergh, Jr., lieutenant colonel; Johannes Jansen, Jr., 



* The parties referred to were apprehended and arrested, it is said, while on their way 
to join the enemy, and were: James Flewwelling, Elnathan Foster, John Flewwelling, 
David Wyatt, Solomon Combs, Benjamin Smith, Stephen Wood, John Moffatt, Benjamin 
Darby, Timothy Wood, Robert Doiitou, James Cosman, and Amos Ireland. They were 
sentenced to confinement in the jail at Kingston. — Proc. Prov. Conv., 872. 

t The sentiment expressed by John Alsop, in resigning his seat in the continental con- 
gress, was shared by a respectable but not numerous class of the community, viz: "As 
long as a door was left open for a reconciliation with Great Britain, upon honorable terms, 
I was willing and ready to render m.y country all th(i service in my power; but as you 
have, by that declaration, closed the door of reconciliation, I must beg leave to resign." 

i The late Mr. James Donnelly related the case of George Harding, one of the signers 
of the affidavit, who visited New York, soon after the English obtained possession of the 
city, and was detained there three or four weeks. On a report that he had joined the 
enemy, the committee seized his goods and turned his family into the street. On his 
return and discovery of the wreck made in his possessions, he resolved to follow the per- 
petrators of the act with his vengeance; and joining the loyahsts, he acted as a spy during 
the whole war, causing the whigs no little trouble. His course, however, is far from 
being justified by the circumstances related. 



REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 141 



and Lewis DuBois, majors; Abraham Sclioonniaker, adjutant; and 
Isaac Belknap,* quartermaster. Two companies were organized for 
this regiment in Newburg-h, tlie first commanded by Saml. CLark, and 
the second by Arthur Smith, f In December following a regiment 
of minute men was constituted, of which Thomas Palmer, of New- 
burgh, was colonel ^Thomas Johnson, lieutenant colonel; Arthur 
Parks, of Hanover, and Samuel Logan, of New Windsor, majors; 
Severyn T. Bruyn, adjutant, and Isaac Belknap, quartermaster. On 
the 23d of July, 1*1*16, the convention directed the general committee 
of the county to organize three ct)mpanies (in all 201 menj of 
rangers to be employed "as scouting parties to I'aiigc the woods" 
and prevent attacks by the Indians, and in such otlier service as 
might be required. Of one of these companies Isaac Belknap was 
appointed captain ;| — Schoonmaker, first lieutenant; Petrus Roosa, 
second lieutenant; and David Clark, corporal. In addition to these 
regiments and companies, the committee was constantly engaged in 
promoting enlistments in the state and continental regiments, and in 
the discharge of their duties found little leisure tinic 

The history of the services of the mih'tia of tlie precinct cannot 
now be fully written; but the records preserved, and whicli have 
been abeady quoted, show that they were repeatedly calh'd out § 



* Through a clerical error, Belknap was not commissioned. The conmiis.sions of the 
other officers bear date October 25, 1775. The regiment was included in the fourth brig- 
ade with other regiments of Ulster and Orange county, under command of Brigadier- 
general George Clinton. 

t" Honorable Gentlemen: — Agreeable to your direction of tin; 9th inst., the Militia 
Company of the South-east district of Newburgh assembled on the 17th inst., at the 
house of Col. Jonathan Hasbronck, and chose by a plurality of voices of the soldiers of 
said District, the following gentlemen for their Militia Officers: Samuel Clark, Captain; 
Benjamin Smith, 1st Lieutenant; James Denton, Senr., 2d Lieutenant; Martin Weigand, 
Ensign. We are, &c. SAMUEL SANDS, } Two of 

August 22, 1775. MOSES HIGBY, ( Committee. 

"Honorable Gentlemen: — Agreeable to your directions of the 0th inst., the Militia 
Company of the North District of Newburgh Precinct, assembled on the 2()th inst., at 
the house of Lemuel Concklin, and choose, by a majority of voices of the soldiers be- 
longing to said District, the following persons for their Militia Officers, viz: Arthur Smith, 
Captain; Isaac Fowler, Jr., 1st Lieutenant; John Foster, 2d Lieutenant; Daniel Clark, 
Ensign. We are, &c. MOSES HIGBY, / Two of 

August 26, 1775. JOSEPH COLEMAN, f Committee. 

X The second company was placed under the command of Capt. Jacob K. DeWitt, the 
third under Capt. Elias Hasbronck. They were discharged, March, 1777.— Ante p. 87. 

§ Ante p. 88, 89, etc. How frequently the mihtia of Newburgh was called out is shown 
by the following return made of the services of Col. Hasbrouck's regiment : 

Dec. 12, 1776— Alarm and service at Ramapo, - - 300 men 27 days. 

Jan. 7,1777 " " <' " . . joo " 14 " 

" 28, " " " " u . . 200 " 40 " 

" Fort Montgomery, - 150 " 12 " 

Mch. 7, " " " .< » . . jgQ u 90 u 

" Peekskill, - - 250 " 40 " 

July, '' " " " Fort Montgomery, - 460 " 8 " 

August, " " " " " - - 500 " 8 " 

October, " " " " Fort Constitution, - 200 '- 10 " 

" Burning of Esopus, 460 " 30 " 

Novr. " " " " New Windsor, - 120 " 45 " 

April, 1778 " " " West Point, - - 420 " 8 " 
— Clinton Papers. 



142 HISTORY OF NEWBUEGH. 

during- th(> war, and rendered important service. Even the aged 
were not exempt from duty. The provincial convention, in 17t8, 
invited those "who, in ordinary circumstances, would be exempts," to 
form companies to repel invasions and suppress insurrections.* This 
call was responded to by Martin Weigand, Humphrey Merritt, Saml. 
Stratton, William Bloomer, Joseph Albertson, William Carscaden, 
Isaac Fowler, Reuben Holmes, William Ward, Jr., James Denton, 
Jas. Waugh, and others, and a company — of which Samuel Edmonds 
was captain; Nathaniel Wyatt, first lieutenant; John Stratton, second 
lieutenant, and Michael Lewis, ensign — organized and held in re'adi- 
ness for service. 'j' 

But it was not merely by their services as militia that the people 
of Newburgh contributed to the war. A depot for stores, under the 
charge of Andrew Taylor, deputy cjuartermaster-general, was estab- 
lished here in 1*177, and was maintained until the peace. Of course 
it devolved upon the inhabitants of the district, in the absence of 
regular troops, to collect the various stores needed by the army, and 
to convey them to distant points. When the tidings of the terrible 
sufferings at Valley Forge were received, they came forward with 
every mode of conveyance in their possession, eager to transport pro- 
visions, and the extent of their services may be inferred from a letter 
of Col. Taylor to Gov. Clinton, in which he states that "every sleigh 
and horse in the neighborhood is completely used up in this duty." 

Nor was this all. The inhabitants of Newbiu'gh were subjected to 
great inconveniences and privations from the fact that the militia of 
other sections were located here, the place being- made a point of 
rendezvous by general orders, | and the billeting of soldiei's on the 
people was of frequent occurrence. To supply them with food in- 
volved a heavy tax on the inhabitants, and their own families were 
often reduced to want by complying with the demands thus made 
upon their stores. 

On the reduction of Forts Montgomery and Clinton, in 1777, the 
people living near the river removed their families and goods into 
the interior, in accordance with the suggestions of the committee of 
safety, expecting that the expedition under Vaughan and Wallace 
would lay waste the village; but in this they were fortunately disap- 
pointed. The expedition passed by, bestowing no other attention on 



* During the entire war the exempts were assessed to supply men in their places in the 
ranks of the mihtia. 

t The persons named in the return had previously served in some one of the companies 
composing Col. Hasbrouck's regiment.— C'ii/iton Papers. 

:t: " Newburgh, Dec. 18, 1775.— Pursuant to the orders of Congress to the Regiment 
under my command, to be in readiness upon any proper alarm, I have appointed the 
place of general rendezvous to be at the house of Martin Weigand, in Newburgh Precinct. 
—Archives IV., 307, Mh Series. J. HASBROUCK, Col." 



REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 143 



the settlement than the discharge of a few cannon. What was then 
the village, was shielded from the passing shot by its p()siti(m on 
the hill beyond the range of ship guns, as well as by a dense 
growth of trees in many places along the river bank, and hence 
escaped injury from that source. When the fleet returned, a continual 
cannonade was kept up from its transports, V)y which one man was 
killed on the ferry boat;* but the presence of the militia deterred the 
predatory boat expeditions by which its presence was marked at 
Kingston. After passing the chevaux-de-frise, one of the frigates 
was anchored and remained for some time in taking soniidings. — 
The militia meanwhile was posted at Newbnrgh, New Windsor, and 
other points in the vicinity, and kept wakeful watch of the enemy's 
movements. f , 

But the precinct had not passed the ordeal unscourged, although it 
escaped direct devastation by the enemy. In the defense of the 
Highland forts mnny of its men had becii killed, and others taken 
prisoners. Tlicy had been summoned I'rom their homes but a single 
day previous to that (»f the fatal battle; had left their families, as 
they had many times l)efore, expecting an early return, but to their 
homes returned not. How great the anxiety, as the progress of the 
conflict was watciied from the hill-tops — how great the mourning, as 
the flames which had been lighted on the vessels of war proclaimed 
the result — we may not know; we only read the expressive record 
that the poor taxes of the precinct rose from i£50 to £800, and that 
special donations were collected for "such poor whose husbands or 
parents were killed or taken prisoners at P'ort Montgomery." | 

From this brief survey of local revolutionary services and suffer- 
ing, let us turn to the events of more general interest that cluster 
around the precincts of Newbnrgh and New Windsor. When in the 
spring of 1*179, Washington was thrown on the defensive, he concen- 
trated the continental army in the Highlands and in Smith's clove, 
and established his head-quarters in the William Ellison house on 
the hill inmiediately south of the village of New Windsor. § Here 



* ( 



On the 18th of October, 1777, Gen. James Clinton, writing from his head-quarters at 
the house of Abel Belknap, says: "Five of the British ships returned this day down the 
river and fired many shots, but only killed one man on the ferry boat." 

t In a letter dated " Abel Belknap's, October 23d," Gen. Clinton writes: "The enemy's 
frigate still lies below the chevaux-de-frise, and it was my opinion she was stationed there 
to prevent our sinking any more; but Gen. Winds informed me yesterday he thought she 
wanted to get higher vip, as she.had boats constantly sounding the channel. Gen. Winds' 
Brigade consists of about 500 or GOO men, and is still increasing. They are stationed at 
New Windsor. Capt. NicoUs and his company at the creek. Col. Thurston's and Col. 
Woodhull's Eegiments from the County line to Butter Hill, and thence along the Clove 
road to Francis Smith's. Col. McLaughry's Regiment at Hasbrouck's Mill, keeping their 
main guard at Newburgh. Major DuBois with his company from Newburgh along the 
river North." 

X Precinct records. 

§ The house was removed many years ago. 



144 IITSTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



he concerted measures to counteract the campaig-n of the enemy, who 
by moving on New London and the Connecticut (X)ast, hoped to draw 
the continental forces in that direction and render the Highland forts 
an easy prey. Instead of meeting- these anticipations, Washington 
sent Wayne to attack Stony Point, and the decisive action there com- 
pelled the enemy to abandon the Connecticut expedition and with it 
the reduction of West Point. Although found to be untenable and 
hence abandoned, the capture of Stony Point was one of the boldest 
and most successful strategic movements of the war. Finding that 
Washington could Jiot be induced to leave West Point defence- 
less. Sir Henry Clinton organized a campaign against the southern 
states. Retaining his head-quarters at the Ellison house, Washington 
remained in comparative idleness. It was the darkest period of the 
war; without assistance from European powers, the cause of inde- 
pendence was acknowledged to l)e hopelessly lost. Ultimately that 
assistance was secured; France furnished an army and a fleet; Hol- 
land sent money; confidence revived; the continental forces were 
recruited and under the drill of Steuben, rivaled in discipline the 
armies of Europe. Threatening an attack on New York, and thereby 
bliging Sir Henry Clinton to retain his re-enforcements at tliat place, 
Washington changed his plans, and before Sir Henry was aware of 
it, had moved his forces from New Windsor and was far on the march 
toward Yorktown. 

Soon after the successful termination of tiie siege of Yorktown 
(October 7, 1781), the main portion of the American army returned 
to the Hudson river; and Washington (April, 1782,) made his head- 
(juarters at the Hasbrouck house in Newburgh. For a short time in 
the autumn of 1782, the army was encamped at Verplanck's Point, 
where a junction was effected with the French army, which, until 
that time had remained in Virginia. Immediately after this junction, 
the latter marched to Boston, and the American ai'my crossed the 
Hudson and went into Avinter quarters above the Higidands— portioTis 
being stationed at New Windsor,* at Fishkill, and in the vicinity of 
Walden. Generals Knox and Greene were quartered at the house of 



o 



* October 30, 1782.— At reveille, on the 26th inst., the left wing of the army, under the 
command of General Heath, decamped from Verplanck's Point and marched to the High- 
lands; took up our lodgings in the woods, without covering, and were exposed to a heavy 
ram during the night and day. Thence we crossed the Hudson to West Point, and 
inarched over the mountain called Butter hill; passed the night in the open field, and the 
next day reached the ground where we are to erect log huts for our winter quarters near 
New \\mdsor.— r/(oc/(,er',s Journal, 323. 

The Rev. Mr Gauo writes in his journal: " On my return to the army we encamped at 
JNewlmrgh, and erected some huts, and a place for public worship on the Lord's day. We 
had three services a day and preached in rotation." 

The Camp ground at New Windsor can still be distinctly traced by the ruins of the huts 
occixpiedby the soldiers. The troops stationed there were the New England line, Van 
Cortland s New York Regiment, and the Marvland and part of the Virginia line. Part of 
the ground had probably been previously occupied by the New York militia. 



of 



REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 145 



Mr. J(jhn Ellison (late Capt. Charles Morton's), Generals Gates and 
St. Clair were quartered at tlie Edmonston house, near Ellison's; 
Wayne at the old hotel (jf Martin Weig-and, in Newburgh; and the 
Baron Steuben at the house of Mr. Samuel Verplanck, in Fishkill* 
During the summer of 1783, a portion of the army was in tents on 
the plain now occupied by the upper streets of the city, and passed 
throng'h the usual exercises of camp life under the careful drill of 
Barcjn Steuben. Tiie army remained in camp here until the 3d of 
November, when it was formally disbanded. 

For a long time prior to the breaking up ()f the army, discontent 
had prevailed among the soldiers and officers respecting the arrear- 
ages in their pay. On the 30th October, 1780, congress had passed 
resolutions granting half-pay for life to the officers, but these resolu- 
tions stood on the faith of a government with no funds to enable it to 
perform its engagements; and after their passage, the articles of 
confederation had been adopted which made the consent of nine 
states necessary to give validity to any act appropriating public 
money; and nine states had never been in favor of the half-pay reso- 
lutions. Under these circumstances, and, considering the very scanty 
supplies that were furnished to the army, it was qnite natural that dis- 
content should prevail. 

Complaints were frequently made to Washington, who was fully 
sensible of the sufferings of his companions in arms, and the mpst 
earnest appeals were made by him to congress to satisfy their claim; 
but congress depended entirely on the states, and thus was powerless 
to accomplish the end desired. The army now resolved to take the 
matter into their own hands, and Colonel Nicola, an experienced 
officer and a gentleman of high character, was selected to communi- 
cate to Wasliiiigton their wishes and fears. In May, 1782, Nicola 
addressed a letter to Washington at Newburgh, in which, after some 
general remarks on the deplorable condition of the army, and the 
little hope that their services would be rewarded by congress, he dis- 
cussed the different forms of government with a view to show that 
republics were, of all others, the least stable, and the least adapted 
to secure the rights, freedom and power of individuals — and then 
made a formal tender to Washington, on behalf of thosSe for whom he 
acted, of the title of King. " In this case," says the writer, "it will, 
1 believe be uncf)ntroverted, that the same abilities that have led us 
through difficulties apparently insurmountable by human power, to 
victory and glory — those qualities that have merited and obtained the 



* With tlie exception of the house occupied by General Wayne, these buildings are now- 
standing. It may be of interest to add that the Life-guard of Washington occupied 
tents where the old malt-house, on Liberty street, now stands. The store-house of the 
Commissary-genefal was where the Union Presbyterian church stands. 



010 



146 HISTORY OF NEWBimOH. 

universal esteem and veneration of the army — would be most likely 
to conduct and direct us in the smoother paths of peace. Some 
people have so associated the idea of tyranny and monarchy as to 
find it difficult to separate them. It may, therefore, be requisite to 
give the head of such a constitution as I propose some title appar- 
ently more moderate; but, if all other things v^Qxe once adjusted, I 
believe strong arguments might be produced for admitting the title 
of King, which I conceive would be attended with some advantage." 

We are aware that it has been denied that this was an offer of the 
title of king, yet the whole tenor of the letter leads to the* opposite 
conclusion. Tliat it was so regarded by Washington, is evident from 
his reply, in which he says: "With a mixture of surprise and aston- 
ishment, I have read with attention the sentiments you have sub- 
mitted to my perusal. Be assured, Sir, no occurrence in the course of 
this war has given me more painful sensations than your information 
of there being such ideas existing in the army, as you have expressed, 
and which I must view with abhorrence and reprehend with severity. 
For the present the consideration (»f them will rest in my own bosom, 
unless some further agitation of the matter shall make a disclosure 
necessary. I am much at a loss to (Conceive what part of my conduct 
could have given encouragement to an address which seems to me 
big with the greatest mischiefs that can befall my country. If I am 
not deceived in the knowledge of myself, you could not have found a 
person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable. At the same 
time, in justice to my own feelings, I must add, that wo man possesses 
a more serious wish to see ample justice done to the army than I do; 
and, as far as my power and influence, in a constitutional way, extend, 
they shall be employed, to the utmost of my abilities, to effect it, 
should there be any occasion. Let me conjure you, then, if you have 
any regard for your country, concern for yourself, or posterity, or 
respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your mind, and never 
communicate, as from yourself, or any one else, a sentiment of the 
like nature." * 

This rebuke effectually checked luonarchial tendencies, but it did 
not remove the evils under wliicli the army suffered; on the contrary, 
the grounds of discontent continu(Ml rather to increase. Congress pro- 
posed to reduce the army, and to discharge many of the officers. 
Washington, fearing the result of the measure, urged the compensa- 
tion of the officers and men. " When I see," he adds, "such a Tium- 
ber of men, goaded by a thousand stings of reflection on the past, and 
of anticipation on the future, about to be turned into the world, soured 
by penury, and what they call the ingratitude of the public; involved 

* Sparks' Washington, viii., 300, 302. 



REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 147 



in debts, without one farthing- of money to carry them home, after 
having- spent the flower of their days, and, many of them, their patri- 
monies, in establishing- the freedom and independence of their country; 
and having suffered everything which huuian nature is capable of en- 
during- on this side death; I repeat it, when I reflect on these irritable 
circumstances, unattended by one thing- to sooth their feeling-s or 
brighten their prospects, I cannot avoid apprehending that a train of 
evils will follow of a serious and distressing nature. * * You may 
rely upon it, the patience and long-suffering of this army are almost 
exhausted, and there never was so great a spirit of disccjntent as at 
this instant." This letter explains i'ully the situation and motives of 
the army, and the power of the restraining influence of Washington. 

The negotiations for peace were now in the hands of commis- 
sioners; and, in view of the speedy dissolution of the army, the 
officers determined upon one more effort to secure that which they 
claimed as their right. Previous to going into winter quarters (De- 
cember, 1782), tlie}^ presented a petition to congress, proposing to 
accept, instead of the money actually due to them, a commutation of 
the half-pay stipulated by the resolutions of October, 1780, which, 
they flattered themselves, would be less objectionable than the half- 
pay establishment. Some security that the engagements of the 
government would be complied with, was also requested. But in 
consequence of the divisions in congress upon other subjects, the 
important point in this petition — tlie commutation of the half-pay of 
the officers — remained undecided in March, when intelligence was 
received of the signature of the preliminar}' and final articles of 
peace between the United States and Great Britain. Soured by their 
past sufferings, their present wants and their gloomy prospects; and 
exasperated by the neglect with which they believed themselves to be 
treated, and by the injustice that they supposed was meditated against 
them, the ill-tciiiper of the army was almost universal, and seemed to 
re(]uire only a slight breath to cause it to burst forth into a flame. 

Early in March, a letter was received from the committee in atten- 
dance upon the session of congress, stating that they had failed to 
accomplish the object of their mission. On the 10th of the same 
month, an anonymous paper was circulated, requesting a meeting of 
the general and field officers at the public building* on the succeeding 
day; and stating that an officer from each company, and also a dele- 
gate from the medical staff, would be expected. The object of the 



* The "public building " here referred to was sometimes called the " new building " and 
" the Temple." The title of " new building " is understood to have been used to distin- 
guish it from a building which had been erected in the early part of the war in connection 
with the barracks of the militia of the district. It was situated on what is now the farm 
of Mr. WUliam McGill, in New Windsor, and was used for public assembhes. 



148 HISTORY OF NEWBUBGII. 



convciitidii was avuwcd to be, "to coDsidor the late letter from their 
representatives in Pliiladelphia, and what measures (if any), should 
be adopted to obtain that redress of grievances which they seemed to 
have solicited in vain." 

On the same day an address to the ami}' was circulated, admirably 
adapted to work on the passiims and lo excite tlie most desperate res- 
olutions. In this paper, the writer reviewed the services of \\w army 
— the toils and privations that had been encountered in securing- the 
independenc(> of the states; adverted to the injustice with which the 
army had been treated, and urged tli(> necessity of some decisive 
action. "I would advise you, therefore," he concluded, "to come to 
some tinal oi)inion upon what you can l)ear, and what you will suller. 
If your determination be in any proportion to your wrongs, cany 
your appeal I'roni the justice to the fears of government. Change the 
milk and water style of your last memorial — assume a bolder tone — 
decent, but lively, spirited and determined, and suspect the man who 
would advise to more moderation and hiuger forbearance. Let two 
or three men who can feel as well as write, be app(tinted to draw up 
your last remonstravce: for 1 would no longer give it the sueing, soft, 
unsuccessful e})ithet of memorial. Let it l»e represented, in language 
that will neither dishonor you by its rudeness, nor betray you by its 
fears, what has been promised by congress and what has been per- 
formed — how long and patiently you have suifered — how little you 
have asked, and how much of that little has been denied. Tell them 
that, tliough you were the first, you would wish to be the last to en- 
counter danger, and though despair itself can never driv(^ you into 
dishonor, it may <lrivt" you from the field; that the wound often irri- 
tated and never healed, may at length i>econie incurable; and that the 
slightest mark of indignity from congress now, must operate like the 
grave and \r,\r[ yon forever; that in any political event, the army has 
its alternative. If peace, that nothing shall se|)arate you from your 
arms but death; if war, that, courting the auspices and inviting the 
directfons of your illustrious leader, you will retire to some unsettled 
country, smile in your tiuii, and "mock when their fear cometh on." 
But let it repr(>sent, also, that should they eomply with the re(piest of 
your late memorial, it would m:ikeyou more happy and them more re- 
spectable; that while war should continue, you would follow their 
standard into the field, and wiien it came to an end, you would with- 
draw into the shade of private life, and give the world another sub- 
ject of wonder and applause; an army victorious over its enemies — 
victorious over itself." 

Persmvded as the officers generally were of the indispt)sition of the 
guvermnent to remunerate their services, this passionate address made 



BEVOLUTIONAIiY EVENTS. 149 



a profound improssion; and nothing seemed wanting but the ass(>ni- 
bhige fixed for the succeeding" day to produce the most disastrous 
results. "Fortunately," says Marsliall, " the commander-in-chief" was 
in camp; and his characteristic firmness did not f'orsalie him in tliis 
crisis. 'I'hc occasion i-cquired that his measures sfiould he iirm, l)ut 
prudent and conciiiatoi-y; evincive of liis fixed determination to oppose 
any rasli pidccedings, Ijut calcuhited to assuage tiic irritation which 
was excited and to restore a confidence in government." This course 
he at once adopted; and in the general orders of the next daj^ he 
noticed the anonymous paper, and exjnessed th(^ conviction he felt 
that the good sense of the officers would guard them against paying 
any "attention to such an irregular invitation;" Init his own duty, he 
ctmceived, "as well as the reputation and true interests of the army 
required his disapprobation of such disorderly proceedings. At the 
same time, he requested the general and field officers, with one officer 
from eacli C(»mpany, and a proper representation from the staff of the 
army, to assendtle at tw(dve o'clock, on Saturday the 15th October, at 
the new building, to hear the report of the comndttee deputed by the 
army to Congress. After mature deliberation, they will devise what 
further measures ought to be adopted as most raticjnal and best calcu- 
lated to attain tlie just and important object in view." 

These orders changed the whole aspect of affairs, and the meeting 
called by the anonymous writer was n(jt held. By a master-policy, 
Washington had placed himself, as it were, at the head of the move- 
ment for redress, and had appointed in regular form a time and place 
of meeting. On the day succeeding the publication of these orders, 
a second anonymoJis address made its appearance, from the same pen 
which had written the former, in which the writer affected to consider 
the orders in a light favorable to his views. "Until now," said he, 
" the commander-in-chief lias regarded the steps you have taken for 
redress with good wishes ahme; his ostensible silence has authorized 
your meetings, and liis private opinion has sanctioned your claims. 
Had he disliked the object in view, would not the same sense of duty 
which forbade you from meeting on the third day of the week, have 
forbidden you from meeting on the seventh?"* 

On the 15th, the convention of officers assembled at the new 



* The writer of these letters was Major John Armstrong, at that time a young man of 
twenty-six, and aid-de-camp to Major (joneral Gates. Some years after the letters were 
written, Armstrong acknowledged their authorship; but insisted that they were written 
"at the solicitation of friends, as the chosen organ to express the sentiments of the 
officers of the army, and were only an honest and manly though perhaps an indiscreet 
endeavor to support pul^hc credit, and do justice to a patient, long-suttering and gallant 
army." Although entertaining a different opinion at the time the letters appeared, 
Washington, in 1797, writes: " I have since had sufficient reason for believing, that the 
object of the author was just, honorable and friendly to our country, though the means 
suggested by him were certainly liable to nuich misunderstanding and abuse." — Sparks' 
Life of WushiiKjlon. 



150 HIS TOBY OF NEWBURGH. 

building:, and General Gates took the chair. There was a full atten- 
dance of officers; and deep solemnity pervaded the assembly as the 
commander-in-chief stepped upon the platform to read an address that 
he had prepared for the occasion. Amid the most profound attention 
Washington commenced reading: "Gentlemen: By an anonymous 
summons, an attempt has been made to convene you together. How 
inconsistent with the rules of propriety, how unmilitary, and how 
subversive of all order and discipline, let the good sense of the army 
decide." Pausing for a moment, he drew out his spectacles, carefully 
wiped and adjusted them, and wliile doing so remarked: "These eyes, 
my friends, have grown dim, and these locks white in the service; yet 
I have never doubted the justice of my country." * The effect was 
electrical. The whole scene, when we consider the time, the place, 
the man, the object of the convention, was hardly surpassed in in- 
terest by any other event of those eventful days. 

Resuming his address, Washington exhibited the anonjnnous letters 
as "designed bi answer the most insidious purposes," while their 
ostensible object was simply to secure the redress of grievances. He 
then noticed more particularly the remedies proposed in the letters for 
the assumed injustice of congress. The alternative presented, said he, 
of "either deserting our country in the extremest hour of her distress, 
or turning our arms against it, which is the apparent object, unless 
congress can be compelled into instant compliance, has something so 
shocking in it, that humanity revolts at the idea. My God ! what 
can this writer have in view, by recommending such measures ? can 
he be a friend of the army ? can he be a friend to his country ? rather 
is he not the insidious foe plotting the ruin of both, by sowing- the 
seeds of discord and separation between the civil and military powers 
of the continent." 

He then explained what appeared to him to be the causes of delay 
in the action of congress — pledged himself to exert whatever abilities 
he possessed in order to obtain the demands of the army; and assured 
them that, previous to tlieir dissolution as an army, congress would 
cause all their accounts to be fairly liquidated, and that they would 
"adopt the most effectual measures in their power" to render ample 
justice bi the army "for its faithful and meritorious services." 

Concludirig with a direct appeal to those present, he exclaimed: 
" Let me conjure you in the name of our common country, as you 
respect the rights of humanity; and as you regard the military and 
national character of America; to express your utmost horror and 
detestation of the man who wishes, under any specious pretences, to 
overturn the liberties of our country; and who wickedly attempts to 

* Am. Biol. Die. 827. Irving's Washington, iv. 



HEVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 151 



open the flood-g'ates of civil discord, and deluge our rising- empire in 
blood. By thus determining- and acting, you will pursue the plain 
and direct road to the attainment of your wishes; you will defeat the 
insidious designs of our enemies, who are compelled to resort from 
open force to secret artifice; yyu will give one more distinguished 
proof of unexampled patriotism and patient virtue, rising superior to 
the pressure of the most complicated sufferings; and you will, by the 
dignity of your conduct, afford occasion for posterity to say, when 
speaking of the glorious example you have exhibited to mankind — 
had this day been imnting the ivorld had never seen the last stage of per- 
fection that human nature is capable of attaining .'" 

These sentiments, says Marshall, from a person whom they had 
been accustomed to love, to reverence, and to obe}'; the solidity of 
whose judgment, and the sincerity of whose zeal for their interests 
were alike unquestioned, could not fail to be irresistible. No sooner 
had the commander-in-chief withdrawn from the room, than General 
Knox moved, and General Putnam seconded, a I'esolution tendering 
the thanks of the convention to "His Excellency, and assuring him 
that the t)fficers reciprocated his affectionate expressions with the 
greatest sincerity of which the human heart is capable." This reso- 
lution was unanimously voted; and, on motion of General Putnam, a 
committee, consisting of General Knox, Colonel Brooks, and Captain 
Howard, was appointed to prepare resolutions on the business before 
the convention, and report in half an hour. 

The committee, after consultation, reported a series of resolutions 
which were passed unanimously. These resolutions expressed un- 
shaken confidence in the justice of congress; and that the represen- 
tatives of America would " not disband or disperse the army until 
their accounts " were "liquidated, the balances accurately ascertained, 
and adequate funds established for payment;" and that in this arrange- 
ment the officers expected "that the half-pay, or commutation for it, 
should be efficaciously comprehended." It was further resolved, 
" that the officers of the American army view with abhorrence and 
reject with disdain the infamous propositions contained in a late 
anonymous address to the officers of the army, and resent with indig- 
nation the secret attempts of some unknown persons to collect the 
officers together, in a manner totally subversive of all discipline and 
good order." 

The triumph of right was complete. The storm which had threat- 
ened to overwhelm the infant Republic, was hushed. Washington 
immediately enclosed to the president of congress the proceedings, 
accompanied by a letter in which he again urged prompt attention to 
the subject. Not only did he assume the entire justice of the claims 



152 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 

of the army; but. for tlic first timo in his liistory, lie asked a personal 
favor of cong-rcss. " Havinj;-," he wrote, "from motives of justice, 
duty, and gratitude, spontaneously offered myself as an advocate for 
their riglits, it now only remains for me to perform the task I liave 
assumed, and to intereeile in their behalf, as 1 now do, that tlie sov- 
ei-eign power will he pleased t<i veiify the preiliet ions 1 have pro- 
nouneed of, and the eonlidenee the army have reposed in, the justice 
of their country." 

Immediately t)n the reception of Washington's dispatches, congress 
passed, with the concurrence of nine states, the resolution commuting 
the half-pay of the officers into a sum in gi-oss ('(jual to five years full 
pay; and the result was received by the army with great satisfaction. 

Meanwhile the peace conunissioners had comduded their lahois, so 
far as arrang'ing the articles bet ween (Ireat Britain and the Tnited 
States was concerned; but tlu> exchang-e of ratifications was ctuitin- 
g'fuit u]>on a similar excininge between the coidending Europ(>an 
powers. It was fi'ared for some time that the obstacles to a g'lMieral 
pacification would not be overcome. 'I'lii'se fears, however, were 
entirely dispelled by a letter frtnii La Fayette, in March, announcing' 
a general peace. In .\pril, (iflicial notilication was received of the 
exchange <A' pri'liminary articles, and the cessation of hostilities; and 
the commander-in-chief announced the joyl'iU intcdligence to the army 
in his orders of April ISth. "The comuKinder-in-i'liief"," reads this 
interesting paper, "orders the cessation of hostilities, between the 
Tnited States of Amerii'a and tlu' King of Great Britain, to lie pub- 
licdy ])roclaimed at the new bnililing-, to-morrow at twelve o'cloi'k; 
and that the prnclamation which will be communicated herewith, be 
read to-morrow evening at the head of e\ery regiment ami coi'ps of 
the army; after which the chaplains, with the several brigades, will 
render thanks to Ahnighty God for all his mercies, particularly for his 
over-ruling- the wrath of man to his own ulorv, and causiiisi- the rau'c 
of war to cease among the nations." 

Although the proi'laimition referred to extemled only to tlit> ci'ssa- 
tion (if hostilities, yet it was regarded as the sure prcn-iirsor of an 
event to the accomplishment of wliii-h Innl been dt'voted the toils and 
snflerings of a long and doubtful contest; and as the morning snn of 
the IDth tinged the mountain tops it was hailed with reverberating 
peals of rejoicing. In this feeling W'ashingttui joined, "'fiie com- 
mander-in-chief" continues the orders, "far from endeavoring to stifle 
the feelings of joy in his own bosom, offers his most cordial congrat- 
ulations on the occasion, to all the otlicers of every denomimition, to 
all the troops of the I'nited States in general, and in [lartit'ular to 
those gallant and deserving men w ho have resolvt'd to defend the 



REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 153 



rig^lits of their invaded country so long as the war should contitiuc^; 
lor these are the men who ought to be considered as the pride and 
'boast of the American army, and wlio, crowned with w(dl-earned 
laurels, may soon withdraw from the field of glory to the more tran- 
quil walks of civil life. While the General recollects the almost 
infinite variety of scenes through which we have passed with a 
mixture (jf pleasure, astonishment and gratitude — while he contem- 
plates the prospect before him with rapture — he cannot help wishing 
that all the brave men, of whatever condition the}' may be, who have 
shared in the toils and dangers of affecting this glorious revolution, 
of rescuing millions from the hand of oppression, and of la^'ing the 
foundation of a gi'eat empire, might be impressed with a proper idea 
of tile dignified part they have been called to act, luider the smiles of 
Providence, on the stage of human affairs; for happy, thrice hapyjy, 
shall they be pronounced hereafter, who have contributed anything, 
wht) have performed the meanest office in erecting this stu|)endous 
fabric of' Freedom and Empire, on the broad basis of independency; 
who have assisted in protecting the rights of human nature, and 
establishing an asylum for the poor and oppressed of all nations and 
religions." * * "The adjutant-general will have such working 
parties detailed to assist in the preparations for a general rejoicing 
as the chief engineer, with the army, shall call for; and the quarter- 
master-general will also furnish such materials as he may want." 

The details of the "general rejoicing" at Nevvl)urgh, New Wind- 
sor, and other points of encampment, on the 19th of April, 1788, have 
. not been preserved. The order (jf Washington, and the notes by 
Thacher and Heath,* indicate, however, that it was conducted with 
the most imposing military and civil ceremonies; that, as had been 
done on a former occasion, f the army lined the banks on both sides of 
the river, with burnished arms and proudly' floating banners, and, at 
a given signal, paused and presented arms. The pealing of thirteen 
guns from West Point now awoke the echoes of the hills, and was fol- 
lowed by SbfeM dejote which rolled along the lines from West Point 
to the utmost limits of the camp. The "thrilling fife-note and drums 
heart-kindling beat," then called the hosts of freedom to the assembly, 



* April 19, 1783. At noon the proclamation of congress for the cessation of hostilities 
was proclaimed at the door of the new budding, followed by three huzzas ; after wliich a 
prayer was made by the Rev. Mr. Gano, and an anthem ( Indepe tide nee, from Billings,) was 
performed by vocal and instrumental music." — Heath's Memoirs, 371. 

" April 19, 1783. On the completion of eight years from the memorable battle of Lex- 
ington, the proclamation of congress for a cessation of hostilities was jjublished at the 
door of the public building, followed by three huzzas ; after which a prayer was offered 
to the Almighty liuler of the world, by the Rev. Mr. Gano, and an anthem was performed 
by voices and instruments." — Thacher's Journal, 343. 

t The celebration of the birth of tlje Dauphin. Tradition affirms that the army exerci- 
ses were the same on both occasions. 



154 



HISTORY OF NEWBUROH. 



where patriot knees bent low in prayer with Chaplain Gano; and at 
its conclusion, voices and instruments joined in Billings' anthem: 



" The States, Lord, with songs of praise 

Sliall in Thy strength rejoice, 
And bhist with Thy salvation raise 

To Heaven their cheerful voice. 
To the King they shall sing : Halleluiah ! 
Thy goodness and Thy tender care 

Have all our foes destroyed ; 
A covenant of peace Thou mad'st with us, 

Confirmed by Thy word ; 
A covenant Thou mad'st with us, 

And sealed it with Thy blood. 
To the King they shall sing : Halleluiah ! 

And all the continent shall sing : 

Down with this earthly king ! 
No king but God ! 
To the King they shall sing : Halleluiah ! 

And the continent shall sing : 

God is our rightful king ! Halleluiah ! 

And the continent shall sing : 

God is our gracious king ! Halleluiah ! 
They shall sing to the King : Halleluiah ! 
Let us sing to the King : Halleluiah ! 

God is the king ! Amen. 

The Lord is His name ! Amen. 



May His blessing descend. 
World without end, 
On every part of this continent. 
May harmony and peace 
Begin and never cease. 
And may the strength increase 

Of the continent. 
May American wilds 
Be filled with His smiles. 
And may the nations bow 

To our royal King. 
May Rome, France, and Spain, 
And all the world proclaim, 
The glory and the fame. 
Of our royal King. 
God is the king. Amen. 
The Lord is His name. Amen. 
Loud, loudly sing. 
That God is the King! 
May His reign be glorious ; 
America victorious ; 
And may the earth acknowledge 
God is the King ! 
Amen. Amen. Amen." * 



These services concluded, the army returned to quarters and united 
in festivities suited to the occasion. As the day closed, the signal 
guns from West Point again called the soldiers to arms, and the feu 
dejoie again rang along the line. This was three times repeated, 
accompanied by the discharge of cannon, "and the mountain sides 
resounded and echoed like tremendous peals of thunder, and the 
flashing from thousands of fire-arms in the darkness of evening was 
like unto vivid flashings of lightning from the clouds." Then the 
beacons on the hill-tops, no longer the harbingers of danger, lighted 
up the gloom and rolled the tidings of peace on through New England 
and shed their radiance on the blood-stained field of Lexington. 

Released in a great measure from the cares and anxieties which 
had so long pressed heavily upon the commander-in-chief and the 
army, the discipline of the camp was relaxed; officers and men desir- 
ing them were granted furloughs, while the facilities for social inter- 
course were improved to the fullest extent by those who remained in 
camp. Entertainments were given by all the principal officers; at 
head-quarters Mrs. Washington was surrounded by all the court of 
the camp. In the reception and dining hall, a dinner and supper 
were daily served as plentiful as th(> country could supply and as 



* The music of this anthem is to be found in the "Singing Master's Assistant," by Wil- 
luim Bilhngs. Bost(m : 1778. The words were kindly sent to the editor of this work by 
Dr. LoweU Mason a short time before his death. 



REVOLUTIONAEY EVENTS. I55 



g-ood as could be made hy continental cooks. The repast ended, 
French wines for our Frencli allies and those who aftected their tastes, 
and more substantial Madeira for Americans of the old school, circu- 
lated freely, and were served with little silver mug-s or g'oblets, made 
in France for Washington's camp equipag-e. In the summertime, the 
guests soon withdrew from the table to the open grounds; but in the 
autumn, the long evenings were frequently passed around the table, 
beside the blazing fire. On such occasions apples and hickory nuts 
mingled with the wine; and the amazing consumption of the former, 
by Washington and his staff, was a theme of boundless wonder to the 
French guests.* 

In July, accompanied by Governor Clinton, Washington made the 
tour of northern New York, and discussed the question of internal 
navigation by a system of canals, which was subsequently developed 
by DeWitt Clinton. On his return he was requested, by the president 
of congress, to attend the session of that body at Princeton. In con- 
sequence of the illness of Mrs. Wasliington, however, he could not 
comply with the request until the 18th of August, on the morning of 
which day he took his departure from Newburgh. 

The detinite treat}^ of }:)eace was signed on the 23d of September. 
After its ratification by congress, that body issued a proclamation 
(October 18,)t by which "that part of the army which had stood en- 
gaged to serve during the war, and by several acts of congress had 
bee)i furloughed, should be absolutely discharged after the 3d of No- 
vember from said service; and the further service in the field of the 
officers on furlough, dispensed with, and permission given to them to 
retire from service, no more to be called to command." J On the pas- 

* Verplanck relates the following anecdote, in connection with this subject, as occurring 
in Paris : " The American minister (we forget whether it was Mr. Crawford, Mr. Brown, or 
one of their successors,) and several of his countrymen, together with La Fayette, were in- 
vited to an entertainment at the house of a distinguished and patriotic Frenchman, who 
had served his country in his youth in the United States, during the war of our Indepen- 
dence. At the supper hour the company were shown into a room fitted up for the occa- 
sion, which contrasted quite oddly with the Parisian elegance of the other apartments, 
where they had spent the evening. Alow, boarded, painted ceiling, with large beams; 
a single, small, uncurtained window, with numerous small doors, as well as the general 
style of the whole, gave at first the idea of the kitchen, or largest room of a Dutch or 
Belgian farmhouse. On a long rough table was a repast, just as httle in keeping wth the 
refined Iritchen of Paris, as the room was with its architecture. It consisted of large 
dishes of meat, uncouth-looknig pastry, and wine in decanters and bottles, accompanied 
by glasses and silver mugs, such as indicated other habits and tastes than those of modern 
Paris. " Do you know where we are ?" said the host to General La Fayette and his com- 
panions. They paused for a few moments in suspense. They had seen something like 
this before, but when and where ? " Ah, the seven doors and one window," said La Fay- 
ette, "and the silver camp-goblets, such as our marshals of France used in my youth! 
We are at Washington's head-quarters on the Hudson, fifty years ago." 

t By a proclamation of congress, adopted October 18th, all officers and soldiers absent 
on furlough, were discharged from further service; and all others who had engaged to 
serve during the war, were to be discharged from and after the .Sd of November. A small 
force only, composed of those who had enlisted for a definite period, were to be retained 
in service until the peace establishment should be organized.— 7ry('/(f/, iv, 434. 

X When the army was disbanded, Washington was at West Point, moving from thence 
to New York on the evacuation of that city by the British, Nov. 25th, 1783. 



150 HISTORY OF NEWBVROU. 

s:io-(> of this piocliiinatiDii, Washing-toii, then at Rocky Hill, N. J., 
pivparcd his Farewell Orderx to the Armij of the United States, which 
W(Mv dated in advance of their delivery (November 3d,) that they 
might lie read at the same iioiir at all the i)(.iiils of eiicaiiipmeiit. In 
these orders he hrietly reviewed the events of the past, and sugg-ested 
the general line of policy which, in his opinion, shonld lie pursued by 
the army in the luture; promising his recommendations to cong'ress 
in its behalf, and invoking "the choicest of Heaven's I'avors" npon 
all its members, whose efforts had secured "innumerable blessing-s 
for ()thers!"~\vitli this beMedicti(Ui drawing the cnrtain of separation 
and closing the military scene b> him forever. 

(hi the morning of Novend)er ;5d, 1783, the patriot army encamped 
at Newburg-h and New Windsor assembled for the last time. At the 
head of each regiment and corps the proclamation of congress and 
the farewell orders of Washington were read, and the fornml and last 
word of conunand passed along the lines. "Painfnl," says Thacher, 
"was the parting scene; no description can be adequate to the tragic 
exhibition. Both officers and soldiers, long nnaccustonied to the af- 
fairs of private life, turned loose on the world to starve and ln'come 
a prey to vulture speculators. Never can that inelanchol}' day be 
forgotten when friends, companions for seven long years in joy and 
sorrow, wore torn asunder, without the hope of ever meeting again, 
and with prospects of a. miseral)le subsistence in i'uture." * 

Major North, who was also a participant in this parting scene, thus 
wiites: " At the disbandment of the revolutionary army, when inmates 
of the same tent, or hut, for seven long years were separating, and 
probably forever, grasping each other's hand in silent agony; I saw 
the Baron Steuben's strong endeavoi's to throw some ray of sunshine 
on the gloom — to mix- some drop of cordial with the painfid draught. 
To go, they knew not whither; all recollection of the art to thrive 
by civil occu})ation lost, or to the youthful never known. Their hard- 
earned military knowledge, worse than useless; and with their badgef 

* Thacher's Journal, 346. 

+ " HEAD-yTiAUTEUs, Newbukgh, Weclucsday, August 7tti, 1782. Honorary badges of 
(listiiiction are to he conferred on the veteran uou-comniissioncd officers and soldiers of the 
army who have sia-vcd more than three years with bravery, tidelity and good conduct: for 
this pnri)ose a narrow piece of white cloth of an angular form is to be fixed to the left arm 
on the uniformed coats— non-commissioned officun's and sohliers who have served with equal 
reputation more than six y(>ars are to be distinguished by two pieces of cloth set in paral- 
lel to each other in a similar form. Should any who are not entitled to these honors have 
th(^ insolence to assume the badges of theui, they shall be severely punished. On the other 
iiand, it is expected those gallant men who are thus designated Avill on all occasions be 
tn^ated with particular coiilideuco and consideration. The (leneral, ever desirous to cher- 
ish a virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of 
mihtary merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the 
author of it sliall be i)erniitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a 
heart in puri)le cloth or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of 
unusnal gallantry, but also of extraordinary lidi'lity and essential service in any way, shall 
meet with due n^ward. * * This order is also to have retrospect to the earliest stages 
of the war, and to bo considered as a permanent cue." 




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REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. I57 



of brotherhood, a mark at which to point the finger of snspicion — ig- 
noble, vile suspicion!— to be cast out on a world long since by them 
forgotten. Severed from friends, and all the joys and gi-iefs which 
soldiers feel! Griefs, while hope remained — when shared by num- 
bers, almost joys! Togo in silence and alone, and {)oor and hoix'- 
less; it was too hard! On that sad day how many hearts were 
wrung! I saw it all, nor will the scene be ever blurred or blotted 
from my view. To a stern old officer. Lieutenant Colonel Cochran,* 
from the Green Mountains, who had met danger and dffiiculty almost 
at every step from his youth, and from whose furrowed visage a tear 
till that moment had never fallen; the go(jd Baron said what could be 
said to lessen deep distress. 'For myself,' said Cochran, '1 care not; 
I can stand it; but my wife and daughters are in tlie garret of that 
wretched tavern. 1 know not where t(» remove, nor have I means f >r 
their renioval!' 'Come, my friend,' said the Baron, 'let us go; 1 will 
pay my respects to Mrs. Cochran and your daughters, if you please.' 
1 followed to the loft, and when the Baron left the poor unhappy cast- 
aways, he left hope witli them, and all he had to give! A black man, 
with wounds unhealed, wept on the wharf; thei'e was a vessel in the 
stream b<nind to the place where he once had friends. He had not a 
dollar to pay his passage, and without it the vessel would not take 
him. Unused to tears, I saw them trickle down the good Baron's 
cheeks as he put into the hands of the black man the last dollar he 
possessed. The negro hailed the sloop, and as he passed from the 
small boat on board, 'God Almighty bless you, master Baron!' float- 
ed from his grateful lips across the parting waters." 

Amid these tragic scenes, the scanty record of which is so touch- 
ing, the army of the Revolution [)assed away from the precinct of 
Newburgh, and the new era of national independence was ushered in. 
The poverty of the departing soldiers scarcely exceeded that of its 
people; money they had in abundance, but it was almost worthless; 
lands they had, but not the means for their successful cultivation; 
business, they had none — they were very poor; so poor indeed that in 
1785, they petitioned the legislature for relief, reciting in their me- 
morial: "That by reascni of the necessary supplies which we have 
afforded for the support of the late war, as likewise from the depre- 
ciation of paper currency, and the unavoidable losses incident to the 
said war, added to the large quantity of personal service, which 
rendered it impossible for us to cultivate our farms as usual, we are 
become so impoverished that we are unable to pay our just debts, 
and, through the scarcity of specie, we are unable upon the credit of 



* Robert Cochran, of Cumberland county (now in "Vermont), was commissioned Major 
of 3d N. Y. Battalion, Nov. 21, 1776; Lieut. Col. of '2d N. Y., July 1st. 1780. 



158 lilSTOEY OF NEWBURGH. 

our lands to liire money for the purpose aforesaid; the frequent and 
many hiw suits injustice's and other courts, the enormous costs that 
accrues on small debts, issuing executions, taking eifects and selling 
the same for not near the value, oppresses and reduces many poor 
families to the want t)f the necessaries of life, that nothing remains 
to us in prospect but unavoidable ruin, unless we are relieved by the 
wisdom of the legislature."* But though poor, it had a vigorous pop- 
ulation, which had been increased in number by refugees from New 
York, who had been compelled to remove from that city on its occu- 
pation by the British forces in 1776, and whose property there had 
been confiscated by the officers of the crown. Among these persons, 
Adolph DeGrove, Derick Amerman, Daniel Niven, and others, became 
permanent residents after the peace. f Besides these refugees, quite 
a large number of persons who had been in the army, took up their 
residence in it, among whom were Major Joseph Pettingale, Majoj;_ 
Phineas Bowman, Major Levi Dodge, and others, who engaged in com- 
mercial and business enterprises. Up to the connnencement of the 
war. New Windsor (through the Ellison's) had mainly absorbed the 
commercial business of the district, but the shipment of stores to the 
army demonstrated that Newburgh possessed much greater natural 
advantages for commerce, besides being nearer the center of popula- 
lation. The opportunities for occupation and the facilities for devel- 
opment were also greatly in favor of Newburgh, having been much 
enlarged during the war. The old " Town of Newburgh Plot," which 
had been opened by the Coldens in 1743, was of limited extent, and 
without easy access to the river, a fault which had compelled Alex- 
ander Golden to buy the south-east corner of the Kockerthal farm 
through which to sweep a winding road to his wharf at the foot of 
First street, and which had also compelled the officers of the conti- 
nental army to push the public or continental wharf, which they were 
obliged to establish, as far north as Third street, where a considerable 
village of hotels, barracks and other buildings for army use, was 
established, for the accommodation of which Mr, Benjamin Smith, in 
1782, laid out in streets and lots, that portion of his (the Kockerthal) 
farm lying east of Montgomery street, between South and First 
streets. This plot, to which he gave the name of "The Township of 



* This petition is dated Feb. 19th, 1785, and is one of two petitions from the precinct 
"of one tenor and date." It is signed bj' sixtv-eight persons. It was this, and similar 
petitions from other places, that gave rise to the law of April 18, 1786, entitled "An Act 
for emitting the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Pounds in Bills of Credit," under which 
individuals were enabled to obtain the bills which were issued by mortgage on real estate. 
By this measure universal individual bankruptcy was avoided, and the people enabled to 
resume their long-suspendeil business avocations. The law expired in 1806. 

t The Clinton papers, in the State Library, contain the petitions of these and other refu- 
gees, asking for the restoration of their confiscated lands. Under the treaty of peace, 
however, restoration was not possible. 



TOWNSHIP PLOTS. 



159 



Washing'ton," embraced seventy-two lots, and Montg-omery, Smith, 
and Water, and First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth streets from 
Montgomery street to the river.* These hits were rapidly taken up, 
as well as adjoining plots on the Glebe and in the township of New- 
burgh; and irom the position of the lowest, in 1780, tlie precinfit 
passed to the fourth, in 1790, and, in a quarter of a century, to the 
first in rank of population. 

I Si 3 4 5 S 




TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON. 

Streets designated by letters and figures. C — Colden's Dock. L — Contiueutal Dock. 

But for some years the village was a disjointed settlement. The 
three township plots of which it was composed, had no connection 
except throug-h Liberty street and a few "cross-lot" roads. In 1790, 
however, the streets which had been dedicated in the plots were con- 
nected and opened by the road commissioners of the town, under a 
general act of the legislature, and an order entered establishing " a 
street called Wagon street, running from the S. W. corner of Lot 31, 
on Western Avenue, easterly on that avenue to the S. W. corner of Lot 
16; thence N. E. to the N. W. corner of Lot 9, in the Newburgh town- 
ship;! thence easterly until it intersects Water street in the township 
of Washington. Also, a road beginning at tlie S. E. corner of High 



* The names of owners of lots entered on the first map of this plot arc: John Anderson 
No.'s 1 and 6; James Denton, No. 2: Mr. Menge, No."s 3 and 13; E. C. Lutherloh, No.'s 
i, 10, 11, 23, 24 a!id 35; Jacob Eeader, No. 5; A. Fairchild, No.'s 7 and 20; Hugh Walsh 
No.'s 8, 21 and 36; Wm. Forbes, No.'s 9 and 22; Mr. Crosby, No. 12; Wm. Qnackenbush 
No.'s 14 and 15; S. Clark, No. 16; B. Palmer, No. 17; Wm. Thurston, No. 18; Adolph De 
Grove, No. 19. The remaining lots were held by Mr. Smith, and the streets conveyed 
by him to the public by deed. This deed and the map of the plot are still preserved, 

t Old town of Newburgh Plot. See ante page 33. The peculiar angles in all of our 
principal streets arose from this fact: Golden and his associates in laying out the Old 
Town of Newburgh Plot, commenced their streets on the natural plateaus. The Trustees 
of the Glebe laid out their streets parallel with the river. When Smith came to open his 
land, Water street was placed nearer the river and a corresponding division carried back 
in Smith and Montgomery streets. W^hen the road commissioners took the duty in hand 
of joining together the streets thus decUcated in the three distinct original divisions of 
the present city, an angle was formed in Water street at the junction with Wagon (now 
north end of Golden), and with South street; and also at the junction of High and Smith 
streets and of Montgomery and Hasbrouck streets. The angli^ is necessarily followed in 
Grand street, and mars Chambers and other streets more recently opened. The citizens 
of Newburgh thus have a perpetual memorial of the " Township of Newburgh," the 
" Township of Washington " and of the " Glebe." 



!(;() HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



strcot iind rmiiiinp: N. E. alone: that strcM't to the N. W. coiiu'r of liot 
1!), ill tlic towiisliip of Ncwburj^'li; tlicnco N. E. to Eirst street in the 
to\vii.siii|) of \Vashiii,i;-toii; tiienee across said street iiitersectiiit;- Smith 
stret>t, and theiiee northerly to South street. Also, a street called 
Montgomery street in the township of Washing-ton, beginning at the 
S. E. corner of a lot given by Benjamin Smith for the nse of tiie Pres- 
byterian congrt'gation, and thence northerly to South street." Also, 
roads called Eirst, Second, Third, Eourth, and Eifth streets. Also, 
a road beginning in the S. W. corner of Lot 1, in the township of 
Washington, and running southerly across the lands of the heirs of 
Richard Nicolls Colden in a direct course to the end of Water street 
in the townshij) of Newburgh, between L(»ts 1 and 9. 

This order, it will be seen, opened Water street from South street 
to Western avenue; Ct)lden or Wagon street from Water street to 
Western Avenue; High street; Smith street; Montgomery street; and 
Eirst, Second, Third, Eourth and Eifth streets, the latter from the 
river to Montgomery street. Wagon street intersected the "Wall- 
kill road," as it was called, '['he streets on the Glebe, were, in tlie 
main, easily connected. South street, the dividing line, originally 
laid out directly west to the west bonnds of tli(» patent, was first 
opened from iiiberty street to tlie river; west of Liberty street its 
course was subsequently changed* and what is (lidney avenue tornied. 
North street was also o[)ened from Liberty street to the river. Such, 
with the addition of Liberty stre(>t, already noticed, wer(> the opened 
streets of the present city of Newburgh, in 1791. 

The precinct of Newburgh continued to be recognized by that name 
until 17H8, when, by an act of the legislature " for dividing the Coun- 
ties of the State into Towns," passed March 7th of that year, the title 
of "precinct" gave place to that of "town.""f" The boundaries, liow- 
I'vi'r, remained unchanged, and as they at present exist. 

The history of the Glelx' has Ihmmi .brought down to the ]>eriod of 
the Revolution. The Rev. John Sayer, the successor of Mr. Watkins, 
resigned the charge in 1775, and during the war the church had no 
minister. The school, however, was continued by Mr. John Nathan 
Ilutchins,! who, in addition to his duties as teacher, read prayers in 
the old church on the Sabbath. On the death of Mr. Hutchins, in 



* MinuteB of Trustees of Glebe, Sep. 22, 1791. "Whereas, there is a vaeancv of tdght 
rods left OH the south side of the Minister's lot for a street, which, runninp; throufrh wet 
ground and over a high hill, is inipraetieahle— agreed, to enclose said road, and allow a 
road of four rods widi^ to run through the lot from opposite Martin VVeigand's to the 
northward of a piece of swamp land adjoining said high hills." 

t Ante p. 39 

X The fact here stated is from a MSS. found among the papers of Isaac Belknap. The 
paper recites, that owing to the scarcity of money and other difficulties in collecting the 
Glebe rents, Mr. Hutchins' salary had not been "fully paid, there being due him at the 
time of his death the sum of eighty-two pounds one shilling and sixpence. 



GLEBE DIFFICULTIES. 161 



1782, Mr. Ricliiird King- was selected as teacher; ajul in 1790, tlie 
Rev. Georj^e H. Spierin perforrncHl tlie duties of minister and sciiool- 
niaster. Cliang^es had also occurred in the; trustees. Mr. Alexander 
Golden died in 1775, and his place had been filled by Isaac Belknap; 
and on tlic death of Mr. Albertson, Mr. Henry Smith was elected his 
successor. 

It was (luring- the year 1790, that the discussions commenced which 
subsequently terminated the control of the Episcopal church over the 
(rlebe. In June, of that year, (lol. Cadwallader Colden, was elected 
trustee,* to till the vacancy occasioned by the death of Henry Smith; 
and almost immediately after his electi(.)n, those opposed to the church 
raised the question of his eligibility, lie being a non-resident although 
a freeholder on tlu; patent. To mecit the difficulty, Colden proposed 
an ameiiilnient of the charter so as to permit the election as trustees 
of persons residing within twelve miles of the patent who were free- 
holders thereon; and the trustees adopted a petition to the legislature 
to that effect. 

The (opponents of the church inniiediately drew up a counter pcitition, 
asking the legislature "that no act relative to the premises be passed 
until the collected sense oi' tlie parish be taken." This petition, or 
remonstrance, was very numerously signed; and Icil to the calling of 
a meeting, by the trustees, to take the whole subject into considera- 
tion. The cull was issued on the 7th, and the meeting- held on the 
lOtli oi' F('l)ruary, at tiie liouse of Martin Weigand, at 2 o'clock P. M. 
The inhabitants of the patent, regarding the affair as an att(unpt on 
the ])art of tlie ( Imrcii to divert the revenues of the Glebe from the 
support of a school, to which I hey had been wholly applied since 
1775, w(;re thoroughly aroused and attended the meeting in large 
numbers. After a turliiilent discussion of considerable length, the 
propositi(jn to amend the charter was rejected, f 

The result of this meeting led to, in May following, the resignation 
(;f- Colden as trustee, and of Spierin as school-master. | Colden's re- 
signaticm was accepted; and, (m the 16th May, Isaac Hasbrouck was 



* June 4, 1790. Col. Cadwallader Colden fleeted trustx^e. Thirty-six votes were cast, 
thirty of which were for Colden, and six for Isaac Hasbrouck. — Minutes. 

t Feb. 10, 1791. A motion was then made and seconded, whether there shall he an al- 
teration of the charter or not. After sonic debate upon the question, it was agreed that 
the sense of the people shoiild be taken by ballot, and was carried in favor of those against 
the alteration by a majority of ihirty-Unir.—MinulfS. 

i May 3, 1791. The Trustees met at the house of Martin Weigand, and being opened, 
Col. Colden observed that upon consideration of the difhculties that seemed to attend the 
trusteeship since he was elected, and in all probability were likely to be continued, it ap- 
peared that the inhabitants of said patent were very much divided ; and therefore con- 
cluded that it might tend to restore peace and harmony among them, and so be for the 
public good of the parish, for him to resign his office as trustee; and accordingly he de- 
livered his resignation. The Kev. Mr. Spierin jjroposed not to have anything to do with 
the Glebe school any further, which the trustees agreed to. Agreed, also, by said trus- 
tees, that the income of the Glebe lands be equally divided between Mr. Spierin and the 
school-master. — Minutes. 

on 



162 HISTORY OF NEWBUROH. 

elocted his isucrcssor, liaving- received fifty-one votes and William 
Seymour sixteen. The resig-nation of Spierin produced no other 
action than a resolution to divide the income of the Glebe equally as 
compensation for the duties of minister and school-master respective- 
ly, until the 28th of May, when the trustees conferred with Spierin 
on the subject, and obtained his consent to be inducted.* 

Mr. Spierin continued to serve as minister and school-master until 
1793 or '94. Meanwhile the subject of the disposal of the revenues 
of the Glebe was more or less discussed. The membership of the 
Episcopal church had dwindled away until very few of that denomi- 
nation remained; and the inhabitants belong-ing to other churches, 
as well as those who were opposed on principle to even an inferential 
association of the church with the conduct of the public schools, 
renewed their eflbrts to get the revenues exclusively applied to the 
support of a school-master. The old trustees insisted upon maintain- 
ing their agreement with Mr. Spierin; and, having no other alterna- 
tive, the people held a meeting and elected William Seymour and 
Phineas Ih)well trustees, and voted that the Glebe rents should be 
paid to them. This action led to a compromise, in virtue of which 
both the old and the new trustees resigned their places, and Timothy 
Hudson and Phineas Howell were chosen their successors."!" 

In this way the revenues of the Glebe passed from the control of 
the Episcopal church. History repeated itself. The very means — 
the elective franchise conferred on the inhabitants by the charter — 
which the Episcopalians had employed to wrest the privileg'cs of the 
patent from the Lutherans, had been successfully used for their own 
overthrow in the hour of similar numerical weakness. The Glebe 
now passed wholly into the hands of the people, and its limited but 
useful system of free education was divested of sectarian control. 

The concluding years of the century were marked by the formal 
incorporation of tlie Presbyterian and the Associate Reformed churches; 
and by the establishment of the Mewburg-h Academy. An attempt had 
been made to organize the latter institution in 1791, and for that pur- 
pose authority was asked from the legislature to establish a lottery 
— a mode of raising money for such j)urposes very common at that 
time. This petition failed, and during the pendency of the difficulties 
in regard to the Glebe, little was doiuj. In 1795, however, the project 
was again taken in hand by the truste<\s of the Glebe, and the present 
Academy building was erected. 

Meanwhile the progress of the town had not been confined to the 
German patent. As lands were cleared and planted, grist and saw 

* Minutes, Mav 28, 1791. 

t Minutes, Sept. 22, Oct. 13 and 27, 1794. 



TOWN SETTLEMENTS. If 53 

mills were erected, and the ancient forests, " through which one could 
not see the sunshine," were filled with the hum of industry. The first 
mill, by autlienticated records, was erected by Alexander Colden about 
1743; was subsequently known as Hasbrouck's, and more recently as 
Dickson's mill. The second was erected by Abel Belknap, situated 
west of the present New Mills, and known subsequently as Niven's 
mill. From thence west on the Quassaick, in successive order, were 
Foster's saw mill, Gardner's grist mill, Gardner's saw mill, Belknap's 
saw mill, and Burr's grist mill, the latter occupying the site and privi- 
lege of a mill erected by Ca})tain Thomas Machin in 1786-'87, for the 
coinage of copper. On the Tent Stone Meadow creek. Penny's grist 
mill, Hartshorn's mill. Penny's saw mill, and Hasbrouck's saw mill, 
were early erections, as were also Dentfm's saw mill and Smith's saw 
mill on the Fostertown creek. On Denton's (now Powelton) brook, 
Nehemiah Denton established a grist mill and a store and a landing 
on the Huds(jn; further north, William Bloomer had a blacksmith 
shop, and Michael Demott a hotel, and, with the neighboring farmers, 
made, prior to the Revolution, a village at Balmville nearly if not fully 
as large as that on the GU-Ah'. Daniel Smith went there subserpiently 
and built a store and a'wharf from which he sailed a sloop to X(!w 
York; while on Jew's or Acker's creek, in the extreme north-east 
part of the town, were Tooker's mill and Acker's mill. In the 
vicinity (jf all these mills wen; handets — in most cases a smith's 
shop, and occasionally a "store;" of g(M.(ls of ;ill kinds "for cash or 
barter," but principally the latter for ol' the former there was little in 
circulation. Besides in mills and hamlets a hujidred years of pioneer 
labor exhibited its results in many well-cultivated farms, and in snl)- 
stantial dwellings which had supplanted rude log cabins. 'J'he lum- 
ber business ol" tlic t(»wii was especially heavy, and large quantities 
of ship tiiiilxT, planks and staves were forwarded to market. The 
public landing which the trustees of Glebe had established at the foot 
of North street, was almost entirely devoted to the shipment of lum- 
ber, and vessels were loading and rafts forming there almost con- 
stantly. Ship-building was also carried on to a ccmsiderable extent 
at different points, by William Seymour and others; and Newburgh 
ships entered into the Liverpool trade, and her smaller vessels en- 
gaged in coasting and in trade with the West India islands. A more 
thriving town was not found on the banks of the Hudson, nor one in 
which the industry of the people had more substantial reward. 

In 1797, the village had attained to such size that it was found 
necessary to establish a Fire Department; and for this purpose a law 
was passed by the legislature defining the fire limits" of the village, 
and directing the election of five trustees, " to be called the Trustees 



1(54 HISTOBY OF NEWBUROn. 

of tilt' Fire Company in the Village of Newbnrgh." The tire limits 
defined by this act included that portion of the town lying south of 
an east and west line running six rods north of the Academy; and 
the district thus defined was "to be called the village of Newburgh," 
the freeholders in which were empowered to elect annually not less 
than three nor more than five trustees, who should have the appoint- 
ment of firemen and the control and management of a fire depart- 
ment.* This was the first crude form of village authority. 

In September, 1797, the publication of The Mirror — the second 
newspaper published in Newl)urgh— was commenced by Philip Van 
Home, and, in 1799, passed into tlie hands of Joseph W. Barber. 
In 1798, The New Windsor Gazette was published at New Windsor 
by Jacob Schultz, but was soon after removed to Newburgh and 
called The Orange County Gazette. This paper was subsequently 
sold to David Denniston, the name being changed to The Citizen. It 
was afterwards merged in The Right.-i of Man,f a paper established 
Ijy Elias VVinfield, for whom it was printed by Benoni H. Howell. 
The Mirror gave place to The Recorder of the Timen, and the latter 
to The Political Index. i 

These papei's are mentioned in their order, for the purpose of intro- 
ducing the facts in the religious history of the town which led to 
their publication. As the Revolution had severed the old connection 
between church and state, the people of America were naturally led 
to consider what should l)e the future political relation of the church. 
These discussions finally subsided on the adoption of the federal con- 
stitution, as that instrument expressly declared that congress should 
"make no law respecting an establishment of religic^n, or prohibiting 
the fi-ee exercise thereof." But besides these debates, there were 
other and mightier agencies operating in the direction of scepticism. 
Voltaire and his friends had already begun the work of unsettling 
the religious faith of Europe; they shook, as it were, the very pillars 



* The third section of this act reads as follows: " The said trustees, to be chosen as 
aforesaid, or a major part of them, shall have full power and authority to nominate and 
appoint a sufficient number of firemen (wiUincr to accept), not exceeding twenty to every 
fire engine nf)W provided, or lierenftcr to be i)rovided, for the use of the said village, out 
of the inhabitants being freeholders or persons renting property to the value of one 
hundred dollars per annum, to have the care, management, working and using the said 
fire engines, and other tools and instrnnients now or hereafter to be provided for the ex- 
tinguishment of fires within the said village, which persons so to be nominated and 
appointed as aforesaid, shall be calli^d the firemen of the village of Newburgh, who are 
hereby required to be ready at all fires, as well by night as by day, to manage, use and 
work the other tools and instruments aforesaid." 

By other sections of the act, firemen were exempted from service as constables or as 
jurors of inquest; and the trustees had power to remove fin^men for cause, to make all 
necessary rules and regulations, and, in case of fire, to command the assistance of all 
" able-bodied inhabitants in said village '' to extinguish the same. The inhabitants of the 
village were also required to furnish their houses with suitable fire-buckets. 

t In the Autobiography of Rev. Doct. Johnston, a paper under the title of The Temple 
of Benson is mentioned." — (p. 94). The paper referred to was probably The Rights of 
Man, which was the only infidel paper pubhshed at that time. 



INFIDELITY. 166 



of the church, and desolated Prance witli the terrible revolution of '98. 
The doctrines taught by Voltaire and Paine were accepted by many 
prominent and able inen in the United States; but at no place did 
these anti-religious sentiments prevail to a greater extent than in 
Newburgh. The Citizen first, and subsequent!}' The Rights of Man, 
hoisted the infidel flag; there was a regularly organized society of 
infidels, and a blind man, by the name of Elihu Palmer,* was induced 
to visit the village weekly and deliver lectures at the Academy in 
opposition to the Bible. Besides the above named newspapers, Paine's 
" Age of Reason," Tyndal's " Christianity as Old as the Creation," and 
works of a similar character, were re-publisiied under the auspices of 
the society and circulated with all diligence. 

" That there was infidelity, and organized infidelity," says Doct. 
Johnston, f "I have no reason to doubt. Nay, 1 have my information 
from one who was a member of what was styled " The Druid Society." 
It was one of the branches of the " llluminati Society," at the head 
of which was Weishaupt, of Gernuiny, the leading object of which, 
according to his representations, was, destruction to all organized 
governments, ' civil and divine.' Hence the Bible was the avowed 
object of their hatred, as well as all that pertained to the church of 
God and her institutions. I have a number of facts, dates and par- 
ticulars on this subject, which would help posterity to know more of 
the sad efiects of infidelity in Newburgh, the latter end of the last 
and the commencement of this century, than is generally known at 
present. A clergyman informed me, that after preaching here, he was 
attacked in the evening by a fierce dog, set on by several who were 
reputed members of the Druid Society. The place where the attack 
was made was near the large elm tree on Liberty street. I presume 
many have heard it stated (and I have never heard it controverted), 
that in the afternoon or evening of the day in which the ordinance of 
the Lord's supper was dispensed by our officiating clergyman, a mock 
administration was performed at a spring | within the limits of the 
corporation, by formally presenting to a little dog a cracker and a 
small quantity of water, using the words of our blessed Redeemer 
when he instituted the holy supper." 

" It ought to be known," continues Dr. Johnston, " that the principal 
actor in this impious transaction did not long survive. On the follow- 



* The Rev. Elihu Palmer was born at Norwich, Conn., about the year 1763, and gradu- 
ated at Dartmouth College in 1787. He was early settled as a minister of the Gospel; but 
he subsequently changed his faith to Universalism, and from that passed over to Intidel- 
ity. In 1793, he was attacked bv Yellow Fever which left him entirely blind. He died at 
Philadelphia in 1805. 

t Autobiography of Rev. John Johnstou, D. D., 92, etc. 

X The place referred to is said to have been a spring on the premises lately owned by 
Edward R. Johns, Esq., south of the Iron-works. It was destroyed by excavations. 






1(5G HISTOEY OF NEWBUBOn. 

iiio- Sabbath ovoniiig- lie was found in liis room, with the door locked, 
apparently in a iit, convulsed with awful spasms, and ii(> died witlu)ut 
being- able to utter a word. Whether he had taktMi anything- with a 
view to self-destruction, oi' whetiier it was tlie inunediate act of God, 
without Ills voluntary agency, we know not. This occxirred in July, 
17!)!). In the grave-yard tliere is a stone with the following inscrip- 
tion: "The Tomb of ■ , who died July 2d, in the year of 

the Christian Era, 179!), aged 34 years." For a time it seemed as if 
tliese infatuated men had determined that tliere should not remain in 
Newburgh and its vicinity a vestigt' of (Miristianity." 

Dr. .lohiiston's account of the objects anil doings of the inlidels of 
Newbnrg-h, comes to us somewhat t-olored perhaps by religious preju- 
dice; but the uiain iiu'ts are generally I'oncedcd to have been as he 
states them. Mr. James Donnelly, a member for a short time of "The 
Druids," and iMr. dact»b Schultz, the editor of the tirst anti-infidel 
paper, the last living witnesses of Ihi' events referred tt), agreed, that 
the accounts given by Dr. Jt)hnston and by Abner Cunningham* were 
exaggerated, especially in reference to the deaths of several of the 
participants in the sccMies di'scribed. Mr. Donnelly stated that the 
Druids " first organi/Aul as a debating society, and were composed 
of the best men in the place. Many of the members became inlidels 
after tlu-y had joined the society, and then changed the asst)ciation 
into an infidel club,'' when a good numy withdrew, including himself. 
He regarded it as " a great mistake to assert that all the members 
w*n'e bad men and came to violent deaths." Mr. Schultz stated that 
Dr. riiineas Hedges, whose sudden death Dr. Johnston refers to, "it 
was always understoiul, died in a tit brought on by nervous excite- 
ment. The circumstances were these: 1 printed an article in my 
Gazette in which Dr. Hedges and the infidels were handled severel3^ 
The Dr. was verv much excited over it, and came down to New 
Windsor to ask the privilege of a reply. I told him that I must see 
his reply before I would agree to print it; but that if it was couched 
in prt)per terms, he might expect its publication. The next I heard 
was that the Dr. had died in a fit. Some of the ardent anti-infidels 
said it was a visitation of God; but this was not generally believed.f 



* " Fate of Infidelity," by Abnor Cuuniugham, in \vliich the author professes to reveal 
the fate of several of the leadiner Newlnirf^h infidels. The files of the village papers 
show that the statements whioh he makes are ineorrect in many instances. " D. D.'' 
says Cunningham, referring to David Denniston, " a printer, three days after, fell in a tit, 
and died iiumediately." This is not true, for Denniston edited The Jiujhis of Man after 
this, and was subsequently eonneeted with the A))ien'can Citizen n»d Wa'tcli Toire)-, a 
paper jirinted in New York. He died Dee. 13, 1803, of a malignant fever. He was a man 
of considerable ability. 

t The Mii-ror, of July 9th, thns speaks of Dr. Hedges: "In justice to his memory, it 
ought to be observed, that he was a man possessed of a strong mind, and this mind 
highly imjiroved and cultivated by the pi-iuciples of general science and the knowledge of 
the philosophj' of nature." 



RECOLLECTIONS. 167 



The discussions of that poriod will always be remetnbered by me; and 
after a lapse of sixty years I have come to reg-ard tlie acts of my 
contemporaries in a soft(,'r light than that in which I then looked 
upon them," 

Whih' tliese corrections are due to tlic memory (jf the dead, the 
files of Thr, Ru/hts of Man and of Th^'■ Recorder of th'. Timns — the 
first the advocate, and the latter the opponent of the doctrines taug'ht 
in Faine's " Age of Reason " — give ample evidence of the violence (jf 
the discussion, and of the efforts made to overthrow all religious 
worship. According to a statement in Thu Recorder if the Times, 
these efforts gradually subsided after the close of the century. 

— Of many of the incidents which have been narrated and of most 
of the men wh(j were active in the affairs of the village during the 
war of the Revolutittn and immediately following its close, the late 
Mr. James Donnelly, a resident from his birtii, prepared (1858) the 
following recollections: 

" When I look back almost eighty years and think of our village 
as it was then and compare it with tlie present, I can scarcely realize 
the change. It certainly was one of the most forlorn looking places 
that I ever saw. It had but one street — a very good one to be sure 
— along which was scattered a few old-looking brown houses; and 
that was the village, for below the hill you could hardly set your foot 
for the mud. Water street was not worthy to be called a street, as 
it only extended from about opposite where the steam mills are nearly 
to where the Bank of Xewburgh is. I have often seen the continen- 
tal wagons pried out of the mud with rails when four large horses 
could not draw them out. The side hill was covered with orchards 
principally. A strip of land along the river, commencing where the 
upper malt houses stand and reaching to the west side of Water 
street and north to Major Pettingale's, was called the Dismal Swamp. 
It was a deep swamp, covered with a dense thicket of black alders 
and alive with pilots (snakes). No one thought of going there, 
except in the winter when the boys sometimes caught rabbits there, 
and they were plenty. 

" On the hill were the old church, the parsonage and the school- 
house; Martin Weigand's hotel, which stood just opposite Gidney 
Avenue, and a few houses on the Glebe. At the south end of Liberty 
street was Hasbrouck's house, and on beyond him were the residences 
of Henry Smith and his brother Thomas. Hasbrouck's and Smith's 
were considered quite out (jf town. 

"I believe that I was born in the first frame house that was built 
here, from facts that I noticed when I demolished the old house, 
althcmgh I had forgotten them for many years until you roused my 



168 ' mSTORT OF NEWBURGH. 

memory by your inquiries about Albertson's tavern. Now I recollect 
all about it. It was very old at the time I took it down, but could 
have been repaired by putting- in new sills. It had a poor foundation, 
and bore the appearance of having been built in a hurry. The rea- 
sons why I thiidv it was the first frame house, and built before there 
were any saw mills in this part of the country are, that there was 
not an inch of sawed stuff' in the whole house in its original state, 
that is before the kitchen, piazza and window-shutters were added. 
One side of the frame was hewed smooth enough to nail the sidings 
on, but the bark was left on in the garret. The siding was split oak 
about three feet long — shingles the same, only not so long, and lapped 
lengthways like the siding. The chimney was flat stone laid in loam 
mortar. It was completely cemented when removed. The walls 
were loam and not a particle of lime, hair or bristles in it. Whoever 
built it made the loam mortar adhere better than we do lime and hair 
mortar. It was the only frame house in the place that had no sawed 
stuff" in it. It had beams over-head and a floor water tight. The 
kitchen was built by Albertson I believe — at least I was told so. 
The piazza and shutters were made at the same time, I presume, for 
they were the same style of workmanship. The piazza was a smart 
affair for those days — it had a cornice and neat posts. I see by my 
old deeds that the lots were designated as No. 6 and 18, on the Glebe, 
and were conveyed in 1768 by Cad. Colden to Joseph Albertson; and 
by Joseph Albertson, cordwainer, to my father, Peter Donnelly,* of 
New York, currier, in 1774. It is over sixty years since I took down 
the main building. 

"After Albertson sold to my father, he built an addition to Harry 
Bend's house, on lot No. 4, and kept a public house there. Jeremiah 
Smith, father of Daniel Smith of Balmville, bought the place of Albert- 
son and kept a tavern there sometime after the war. John Mandeville 
afterwards bought it and built an addition to it. 

"During the war the fife and drum were lieard almost constantly, 
and soldiers were quartered on us nearly all the time. When they 
came, the sergeant would open the door and tell you that you must 
take in the soldiers, while the soldiers stood dripping in the snow or 
rain, anxiously waiting for shelter. My father frequently gave up the 
whole house to them; and when the out-kitchen and house were full, 
1 have known him to be at the barn until ten o'clock at night making 
places ffn- them to sleep. They were compelled to lie (jn the floor to 
sleep, and I thought no more of walking over them, than, I now do of 
walking on a carpet. The soldiers were generally militia men called 



* Peter Domiclly married Eleanor Magragh, Aug 19, 1763. He died iu Nowburgh, Nov. 
29, 1782, aged 02 yrs., 3 iiios.; and his wife Eleanor, May 17, 1819, aged 71 yrs., 11 mos. 



RECOLLECTIONS. . 169 



out on alarms. Sometimes they remained a long time, but generally 
only a night or so. My father always tried to make them comfort- 
able; he gave them potatoes, apples and cider. They never would 
steal from him, but would go to the fences of the neighbors and take 
rails and burn them; but they were regarded as privileged to take 
such things. It was a tight fit for some of the king's Iblks to take in 
American soldiers, but they had to do it. We had no trouble with 
the soldiers from bad conduct. They were a little mischievous, and 
to amuse themselves one would hold me up and tell me to kick another, 
1 expect I kicked, for I am told that I was a good boy to mind. 
Father would say, "Boys, boys, you are spoiling that child," and then 
they would stop; but as soon as his bade was turned, I would be 
hoisted up again for the same trick. 

"At the time tlie British sailed up the river and liurned Kingston, 
those tliat had anything worth preserving hid it in tlie woods. My 
mother iiad some things hid away across King street. Almost all the 
male porticui of the population was oft' to the defense of the forts, 
and my father among tlie numl)er. My mother took us children down 
cellar to avoid the shots, two or three of which lodged in the bank 
opposite the house. The British tired a good many shot. I do not 
recollect being taken down cellar, for the reason, 1 suppose, that 1 
was used to going there, and there was nothing unusual in it to make 
me remember it. 

" I recollect distinctly, however, the Hessian prisoners who were 
brought here after the surrender of Burgoyne. The officers wore long 
blue ck»aks. They were in charge of a company of Morgan's rifle- 
men, a part of whom were billeted at my father's house. The riflemen 
were certainly the wickedest men that it was ever my lot to see or 
hear for profanity. Ask them their pedigree, and their reply was, 
"My father was high Dutch and my mother Irish," or " My father was 
Irish and my mother Dutch." So it ran through the company. 

" One blessing was, that provisions were plenty; but clothing was 
difficult to obtain. A wool hat was a fine affair. I never went without 
shoes; but I remember being without a hat, from the fact of hiding 
once with some other boys, when vv^e saw General Washington coming, 
so as to burst out when he came by and throw up otir hats and hurrah 
for him. Those of us who had hats threw them up, and those who had 
none threw up their hands, which .done just as well. Every family 
made their own clothing, but they could not make hats very well. 

"The Hard Winter of 1779, made a very deep impression on my 
mind. We were fourteen days without bread. Owing to the severity 
of the weather, the mills could not run much of the time, and when 
they did run it was on flour for the army. We had plenty of every- 



170 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 

thing' else, but missed the bread. Wheat was so plenty that the 
horses were fed with it; but we could not get flour. My father sent 
over the river to DePeyster's mill and had a barrel brought over on 
a hand-sled. In three days it was all gone — lent out — for the neigh- 
bors devoured eaeii other, like the Kilkenny cats. The destitution 
was universal. After that there came a thaw, and we never wanted 
for bread again. The mills were poor aflFairs. There were oidy two 
— Hasbrouck's and Nehemiah Denton's; the latter on one of the 
streams north of the village. For forty days that winter the water 
did not drop irom the eaves. It snowed almost every day. We did 
not see the sun until ten o'clock in the morning, and then it was only 
visible for a short time, and looked as if it was wallowing through a 
snow bank. The snow was even with the roof of our piazza. Be- 
tween the war and the weather, we had such times as we would not 
be likely to forget.* 

" The appearance of General Washington is familiar to me. He 
seemed difterent from any one else. He was of a commanding form, 
and calm, majestic countenance. He was a splendid rider; and we 
boys reverenced him, and extended a due share of respect to his horse 
and Ins servant Will. Will was a handsome black, somewhat in 
years, and always rode a short distance behind his master on a brown 
horse. The General rode a bay horse. Mrs. Washington was short 
and stout. I thought she was homely, and that she never could have 
been a handsome woman. 

" General Wayne had his head-quarters at Mrs. Wool's house, which 
was near my father's, and I saw him almost every day. He was short 
and heavy set, and had red eyes. I remember his eyes because we 
had a cross dog that had red eyes, and the soldiers said that he had 
Mad Anthony's eyes. They called the dog Mad Anthony altogether. 
Trip was a tory in feelings, for he hated the sight of a soldier because 
they teazed him. 

" The Life-guard often visited at my father's house to discuss the 
events of the war, and after the peace those who had been soldiers 
used to gather there and talk and tell stories. When the news of 
peace came, my mother said, "Peace, blessed peace." "Mother, 



* In a diary kept by Col. Abraham Hasbrouck is the following entry: "The winter 
began the beginning of December, 1779, and continued until the latter end of March, 
1780. A very deep snow, above three feet, driven up in heaps in many places six and 
seven feet high, and so severe a cold for most of the winter that the Hke has not been 
known by the oklest living in this country. People rode with sleighs from New York to 
Staten Island with loads of fire-wood, and did ride from New York to Paulus Hook and 
Bergen, and also to Long Island ; and did ride from New York to Albany with horses and 
sleiglis upon Hudson's river ; and also crossed the Sound upon the ice from New London 
to Long Island with carriages of burden, which never has been done before." * * The 
snow was not so deep as in the hard winter of 174:0-'4:1 (of which Mr. Hasbrouck was a 
witness), but much colder and of longer continuance." It was during the %vinter of 1779 
that the terrible sufferings of the American army at Valley Forge occurred. (Ante p. 142) 



RECOLLECTIONS. 171 



what is peace ?" I asked. I thoug'ht times had always been as they 
were then. 

"Mrs. Wool's liouse, which must have been Martin Weigahd's old 
hotel, was torn down by Benjamin Darby, who built part of" the house 
subsequently known as the Downing house. Darby was a tanner and 
had one vat under an apple tree. I suppose he was frightened away 
from here, as he hacd been a tory during the war. At all events he 
went away and left his wife destitute. My father took her to his 
h(juse, and finished and sold the leatlier for her that Darbj'^ left, and 
she went away with tlie proceeds. Richard Hudson owned the place 
afterwards and eidarged Darby's house. It was afterwards owned by 
Samuel Downing, and subsequently by Andrew J. Downing. 

"Martin Weigand, Col. Palmer and Col. Ilasbrouck each had a 
wagon, and these were all there was in the place. A few persons 
had ox-carts in and about the village; and Capt. Coleman, up at the 
brook, had a Nantucket calash. Those who had horses had sleighs- 
but the usual mode of traveling was on horseback and on foot. I 
don't remember when 1 first saw umbrellas used. When I was a boy 
the men had hoods on their over-coats to wear over their heads; but 
there was not much business then to call people out in the rain. 

" Those who had beef to sell, used to drive it under an apple tree, 
and kill, dress and sell it there. The best cuts sold for six coppers 
(twenty-four coppers to a shilling,) a pound. These coppers were 
made by Capt. Machin, out at the Big Pond. I took about a peck of 
them once down to Schultz's mill and got two bushels of flour. I 
remember it because Schultz sat down on the floor to count them, and 
I had to wait until he was done. The very highest price for mutton 
was six shillings a head for a large fat sheep of the old-fashioned 
breed. Good horses averaged seventy-five and eighty dollars. My 
father bought one of Hugh Stevenson and paid one hundred dollars 
for it. This was an extraordinary price, but it was an extraordinary 
horse, and had been taken from the Indians. We called him the 
Sturdy Beggar. This purchase was during the war; but the butcher- 
ing business was long after it. 

" Broad street only extended about three hundred feet below Grand. 
It was there fenced in and Mr. Guthries had his blacksmith shop in 
the middle of it. There was no house below Grand street, on the 
Glebe, when I first remember it. There might have been one or two 
before the war. The houses that were standing after the war were 
poorly built, and being generally without foundations, didn't last 
long. The old Ward house stood in the hollow.* It must have been 



* The hollow ran from west of Grand street (north of Clinton), to the river. It is now 
principally tilled in, although its course can still be traced. 



172 HISTOBY OF XEWBUFtOH. 

as old ;i lit>us(> as ours, but T don't nMn(Mnl)i'r \vlu'tlu>r it had any 
sawed stutV in it or not. Tho Wards Inid a i-idcr mill of V(M-y primi- 
tive construction. The apjiles were ptiunded in a tron^-h and the 
cheese pressed by [dacing' a heavy l)eam on it. The elm trei' in Liberty" 
street* is abont my ag*e. 1 remember it \\lien it was a nu-re whij) 
and so slender that it could scari'cly bear tlu' weii^-ht of the mower's 
scythes while they rested from their work in the meadow. 

"The old story oi' the stdzure of the Talatint' churcii, and the earry- 
inu" olV o\' the bell, 1 liav(> heart! repeated a o'ood many times vears 
aji'o. It was always said that it was Buro'er Mevnders that was 
buried undei- the falling;' dooi- during" the frai-as. The (dd ludl was 
the smartest little bidl that 1 t'ver lii>ard. You could hear it ring- clear 
down to .Murderer's cre(>k. Burger Meynders owned tiie head-quar- 
ters property, and 1 always understood that he iuiilt the ohlest part 
of the house. The ohl Lutheran church was usetl as a cooper's shop 
by M(U'gan Cole before it was fitted up for a school-house. Once 
during th(> war the s(ddii>rs stabled their horses in it. Aftt>r the war, 
Martin Weigand, who had a deep reg'ard for the old church, j)roposed 
to havi> it rt^paired. The project was ag'reed to by others, and a bee 
was held and the repairs made, .\fter that the Methodists and 
[ireachers ol' otlu-r denonuiuitions held servit'e theri\ The school- 
master's house was taken down, and Mr. Mandeville made a black- 
snuth's simp (Uit of part of the frame. 

"Tiie first dock was call(>d Denton's landing", and was probably 
built by Alexander Colden long- befttre the war. It was afterwards 
Georg-e Gardner's dock, and is now owned by Mr. Hamsdcdl. 'I'iie 
next (hH'k was built during- the war, and was called the continental 
dock. The continental ferry used to huul there. It was where 
Mailler's dock now is. Where the north-east C(U"ner oi' Water and 
Tliird streets now is, were barracks for the soldiers, ami across the 
street, back ttf the Orange Hotel, were more barracks. They were 
subsequently removed to the west side of Smith street, and were 
burned down some years ago. Wliat was known as Oakley & Davis' 
dock was built during the tMicampment here expressly for the use of 
the aiiny: and north o\' it was an t'ncU)Sure for cattle, and a slauffhter- 
house, &c. After the war. Major Petting-ale established what was 
called IVttingale's landing". It was near the foot of \(U-th street, 
which was then a g-(H)d road. Large quantities of ship-tindu'r. staves 
and shingles were sent oil" from this landing". There was no dock — 
vessels were loaded from scows. Pettingale movt>d a building" from 
the neighborhood of Powell's down there and a nuin by the name of 

* This tree (now removed) had many historic associations. It stood in front of tlie pres- 
ent Ininty M. E. ("Inu-ch. (See engraving of tlnit church). 



KECOLLECTIONH. 



173 



Hog'aii liv(;d in it. Tlio landing' waH in \\\v, cnvo jnst iioitli of tlie 
I'owdcr magazino, and the road to it m yet there. John Peter J)e 
Wint built the do(;k between Mailler's and Oakley & Davis', and also 
the bric'k house opposite the Bank of Newburg'h. I( was Ihe lirst 
brick house built in the villag'o. A ro;iil riin down to the dock and 
the brick house was on the corner of it. I''ront stre(!t was not here 
then. The river ran m|) in places nearly to Water sti'eet, and the 
ilocks were small aflairs. Water stnM't, north of l*'onrth, ran up the 
hill in an angulai- direction, and intersect(;d South street iieaily oppo- 
site the First Baptist church; and just west ol" its junction was the 
Blue Bell tavern. 

" Thei'e were but live houses below the hill (south ot Second street), 
beside the continental bhu^ksniith shop wliicli e.\tende(| fmni the corner 
of" Second street noi'th. David Howell tinislied it and lived there after 
the war. One (if these houses was Mr. Denton's, afterwards Judge 
Oardnei''s, and is still standing- on Watei' street near the Whaling 
house. Anotlusr was where Isaac B(dkna|) lived, nearly opposite; the 
(jardner house. The third was a house on the west side of Denton's 
dock, where .John Harris afterwards ciunnienced the hatting business. 

The fourth was the residence of 
Alex, ("olden, and was called 
the Newiun'gh House. It stood 
at the head of the gore between 
Colden and Water street. The 
lil'lli, was a house wliere Benj. 
Smith livei], built by his father, 
on Smith street, near the cor- 
)ier of Second. I'hc^ houses be- 
low the hill clustered in the 
vicinity of First street pnjbably from the fact that Colden's old f(;rry 
boats landed there. Colden's house was a tw(»-story frame building', 
with dormer windows. It was thirty or thirty-five feet square, and 
had four rooms on the first fioor and a hall through the center. It 
stood fronting the river. Benjamin Roe, the first harness-maker in 
town, lived thei'e. The Squan;, as it is now calhjd, used to be known 
as Colden's Gore. It was fortnecl by the opening of Water and PMrst 
streets, and the pi'ioi' course of Wagon now (Jolden street. Wagon 
street ran down about as far as the intersection of ('olden and Water 
streets and then wound down the hill south to Denton's dock. While 
the army was here, Adolph DeOrove built a tavern oji the west side 
of Wat(!r street, corner of Third, and several other buildings were 
put up about the same time. Not long after the war, John Anderson 
built a store on the south-east corner of Water and Third streets. 




THE COLDEN HOtlSK. 



174 HISTORY OF NEWnURGH. 

Robert Ludlow afterwiirds bought the place. Adolph DeGrove sold 
his place to John McAuley, and built a house on the east side of the 
street, about half-way between Second and Third streets, where he 
kept a tavern, and where he opened the first bakery in the place. 
John and Joseph Hoffman afterwards carried on the baking- business 
in the same place. They subsequently dissolved partnership, and 
Joseph started a new shop on the north-west corner of Water and 
Second streets.* Daniel Niven, Jr., and Marsh & Ferris were the 
principal tailors. John Shaw kept a store on the east side of Third 
street, opposite the market; and Hugh Walsh kept a store on the 
west side of the market. The market stood at the foot of I'hird 
street, and the street ran down to the dock on each side of it. Robert 
Gourlay, John McAulay, George Monell, and Denniston & Abercrom- 
bie had stores in Water street, the latter firm on the corner where the 
Orange Hotel now stands. John McAuley kept his store in DeGrove's 
old tavern. Matthew DuBois was the first tobacconist. His shop was 
in Smith street, and the business was continued after his death by 
David M. DuBois. Jonathan Carter was the next tobacconist. But 
time would fail to enumerate a tithe even of the changes that have 
occurred in the progress of the village. 

"James Johnson built the first house on the corner where the 
Orange Hotel stands. Benjamin and Daniel Birdsall opened the first 
regular store in the village. It was on Denton's dock. It was 
robbed, and 1 found the stolen goods down by the river in a clump of 
bushes — about ten dollars worth of thread, tape, Dilworth's spelling 
books, and other articles. 

"I have said that the river ran up to nearly where Water street 
now is. The bank of the river formed a curve, setting in south of 
South street, and the water, at about Second street, was within a 
hundred feet of Water street.f I have rowed boats on the beach 
where the United States Hotel stands. The channel was very abrupt, 
and at high-tide sloops sailed almost up to Water street. 

"The Druids first organized as a debating society. I joined the 
society under the impression that it was to be conducted ior the 
benefit and instruction of the members. The laws said that neither 
politics nor religion were to be discussed. I met with the society 
four or five times, and finding that politics were discussed, I quietly 
withdrew and never troubled myself about them afterwards, as 1 did 



* "Joseph Hoffman, bakor, respectfully informs the public and Ids friends that he has 
removed from the house owned by Mrs. Adolph DeCrrove, where ho formerly lived, to the 
corner of Water and Second streets, two doors south of John Brown's store.'''— Adv. in 
Recorder, May 7, 1804. 

t In advertisement of mortgage foreclosure, dated January 1, 1805, we find Lot No. 5, 
in the Township of Washington, now the north-west corner of Water and Second streets, 
described as " in depth from the east line of Water street to the river, 100 feet." 



RECOLLECTIONS. I75 



not appi'ove of a secret political society. Perhaps two-tliirds of the 
members were infidels. Dr. Johnston makes a sweeping' charge that 
they were all infidels, and all came to violent deaths. It is a great 
mistake. I have heard of vile acts attribnted to some of the mem- 
bers, as well as to some who were not. A g'reat many withdrew 
after I left. They are all g'one now but myself. When I met with 
the society it held its sessions in the upper part of William L. Smith's 
house, now (late) Eli Hasbrouck's, in a room that had been occupied 
by a Masonic lodge. Mr. Smith was a member. Alexander Falls was 
secretary of the society for some time.* When I joined there was no 
initiation form or fee. I understood afterwards they used a ceremony 
similar to the Masons — administered an oath, &c. The society after- 
wards met in a ro(jm finished off for it in the building (which stood) 
on the south-west corner of Smith and Third street. I don't know any- 
thing about the society holding meetings in the old Mcintosh house, 
although it might have done so after I withdrew. I never knew how 
the society broke up, but always supposed it died out with the infidel 
mcjvement. It may have broken up in a (juarrel, as you say you 
have heard it stated; but if so it must have been a quarrel got up 
fn- that purpose. 

"I see that the house occupied by Richard Rikeman, adjoining 
Doct. Morrison's old place, is still standing. 1 do not know whether 
Rikeman built it or not — it was built before my recollection. Rike- 
man was a shoemaker. 

"During the war salt was very scarce. I have seen farmers who 
were wealthy obtain salt from my father; and they would wrap it 
up and carry it home more carefully than they would money. My 
father obtained salt, and many other things that others coivld not get, 
from his intimacy with Hugh McConnel, who had charge of the public 
stores at Fishkill. 

" The first Pest-house stood near where residence of the late John 
W. Brown now is. It was a building erected by Capt. Coleman for 
his Nantucket trade, as I have understood. It stood in a grove of 
pines, and was a solitary place. The people then regarded the small- 
pox, and other contagious diseases, with great horror, and when 
persons were attacked they were immediately removed to the Pest- 
house. Speaking of the small-pox reminds me, that I have often heard 
it stated that the first case of that disease here was in the Birdsall 



* The "Society of Ancient Druids " was organized September 22, 1803, as appears by 
a notice in the Recorder of the Times of that year, and also by the following advertise- 
ment in the Rights of Man of September, 1804: 

"Society of Ancient Druids. — The members are requested to meet at the Lodge 
Eoom on Saturday, the 22d inst., at three o'clock in the'afternoon, to celebrate their anni- 
versary festival; at which time and place an Oration will be delivered by one of the mem- 
bers. Sept. 7, 1804. ALEXANDER FALLS, Secy." 



176 



IIISTOBY OF NEWBVHGH. 




family. It was during the war, and caused no little alarm among the 
inhabitants. The circumstances of the case 1 do not remember* 
" Martin Weigand's tavern, during my recollection, stood on Liberty 

street just north of the grave-yard. 

It was a frame building, two stories 

high, and had a stoop in fr(mt. I 

dcm't know when it was built. — 

The soldiers used to gather there 

during the war, and it was a soft 

of rendezvous for old pet>ple to meet 

and tell stories. The Justices of the 

^ „^^g: Peace had their courts there, and the 

town meetings were held there for a 

WEIGAND'S TAVERN— 1780. loug timc. It was the best tavern 

in the place for a good many years. Weigand was a good citizen, 

although not a man of any education. His wife was Susan, daughter 

of Joseph Albertscm. I believe they never had any children. 

" My father, Peter Donnelly, was the first person who manufactured 
leather here. He commenced in 1774, and had a currying shop only. 
Many of the farmers tanned their own leather and brought it to him 
to finish. He worked during the war at dressing leather for the army 
whenever they needed it, and received no pay until after the peace. 
Phineas Howell was the first tanner. He had a shop back in the lot 
on the north-west corner of Smith and Third street. I sunk my tan- 
yard (late Jennings & McKinstry's,) forty-eight years agt). It was 
then a part of the Dismal Swamp partially reclaimed. 1 used to 
jump from bog to bog to get to it, and have helped to lift tnaiiy a cow 
out of the mud there. When the village was laid out. Water street 
reached as far as Mr. Barclay's morocco factory, where there was a 
gate not fifty years ago. Robert Gardiner was the first man who 
wt)rked the street through. 

" The building of ships and other vessels was quite actively prose- 
cuted here both before and after the war. The vessels owned by 
George Gardner were built at his yard, just north of First street. I 
believe he had thi'ee sloops built — two I know. His ship-wright was 
William Holmes. Jason Rogers established a ship-yard between 

* We find the following letter among the Clinton papers in the State Librar\ : 

Newburgh, Feb. 26, 1778. 

"I think it proper to inform you, that one Birdsall, who was taken prisoner and brought 
to Poughkeepsie goal, but hadliberty to come to Newburgh to his brothers, some way or 
other has got the small-pox, upon which Isaac Belknap's and two other families became 
innoculated in that neigliborhood, near the dock a little south of the Continental ferry. 
As soon as I heard it I endeavored to prevent it, but I understand their Committee has 
consented to it, though they have promised not to suffer any more to be innoculated in 
Newburgh town, or near it," where the troops might be exposed; but I am informed they 
have not compUed with that promise. Dr. Higby is the person who innoculates. 

" To Governor George Clinton. JAS. CLINTON." 



RECOLLECTIONS. I77 



Fourth and Fifth streets, where he built a brig- of two or three hun- 
dred tons burden. The stocks for this vessel were laid on Water 
street north of P'ifth. When she was launched, the hill was so steep 
that when she struck the water she wont taifrail under. She was 
built lor a company (jf farmers, (if whom Isaac Fowler, I believe, 
was one, and sailed to the West Indies. William Seymour — Mr. 
Bailey, siiip-wrigdit — built one ship and other vessels at the same yard. 
David and Walter Burling afterwards built a ship there and called 
her the Robert Burns. Richai'd Hill had a ship-yard where the Man- 
sion House stood (Water street, north of Third). He contracted to 
build ships and other vessels. This was about 1800. After that the 
biiilding- of vessels became too conmion to attract much attention. 

■" I knew all tlie principal men of the town who were living seventy 
years or so ago. The Rev. Mr. Sayer, the last minister who occupied 
the parsonage, was imprisoned during tiie war— whether in New York 
or Goshen, I don't know for certain, but I am under the impression 
that it was in Goshen. While he was there the dysentery broke out 
among the soldiers somewliere in the vicinity, and, being a skillful 
physician, they gave him his liberty in order that the soldiers might 
have the benefit of his attendance. He afterwards went over to the 
British. This is the substance of conversations lietween my mother 
and otiiers when I was a boy. As my parents were Episcopalians, I 
would be likely to hear the truth on the subject. 

"Tlie Rev. Mr. Spierin, the last Episcopal minister under the old 
Glebe charter, was a good preacher, a fine reader, very pleasant and 
social in his disposition, and a man of noble appearance; but he was 
as ignorant ()f household affairs as any one could be. One day when 
I was going to mill, he asked me if I could get some meal for him. 
I told him I would. He immediately called to his wife for a bag. 
Said he, "James is going to mill and will get us some Indian meal, 
and we will have some nice Buckwheat cakes." His wife laughed 
heartily, and exchiimed, "A bull! a bull! an Irish bull!" His look 
of astonishment was amusing; but we did not explain the matter to 
him, and he turned on his heel, sa^'ing that we both acted like tools. 
Mr. S. and his wife were natives of Ireland. He lived in the house 
now occupied by C. F. V. Reeve, on the corner of Grand and South 
street, where he taught a few scholars preparatory for college. 
William Ross was one of his pupils. 

" The first Methodist minister who preached here was a Mr. Mc- 
Claskey, an Irishman by birth. He was rather a fine looking man, 
although he wore a very nnclerical red handkerchief around his neck. 
The first Methodist meeting was held in the old clothing storehouse, 
then occupied by the Presbyterians. After that they held meetings 



012 



178 HISTORY OF NEWBUBOU. 



in the old Globe church, except when the weather was very cold 
Their iniH'ting-s were well attended, as it was not only a privilege to 
hear preaching-, but a Methodist parson was a curiosity in those days. 
Ez(;kiel Cooper was the next preacher on the circuit, and John Cooper 
next. They were a source of annoyance to Mr. Close, the Presbyterian 
minister, who complained to deacon Keeve that the Methodists were 
gaining ground very fast. "Yes," replied Reeve, "and if yon do not 
pr(>ach better than you have done, they will have all the ground." 

"Mr. ('lose was a very dry preacher. T have been told that he 
preached to the soldiers during the war, but where I do not know. 
Mr. Graham, a Presbyterian minister, came from Fishkill and preached 
sometimes during the war and after. He pr(^ached in High street 
after the war. His son married a daughter of Elnathan Foster. Mr. 
Lewis was stationed here before Mr. Johnston. Deacon Lawrence 
was a leading man in the Presbyterian church. He was chorister in 
the old storehouse, and wore a white cap, as did all the very old 
men at that time. He continued to sing until some Yankees came 
here and introduced singing by note, which caused gi'cat dissatisfac- 
tion and opposition. He was a very good man. He lived in the old 
house still standing on High street, near the corner of First street.* 

" Mr. Hartwick, of Hartwick's patent,f was the last Lutheran min- 
ister here. He preached in the old church, by permission, before the 
war, and a few times afterwards. One of his sermons was declared 
monarchical. He preached until lu' was very old — ninety years or 
so. He used to go to church and cry like a child. One day he met 
the Mt'lhodist minister at Mr. Foster's. "Come," said he, "take the 
Bible and let us go into the church." They went, and the Methodist 
preached and he listened. 

"Mr. Penny, the teacher in the (Jlcbe school, was a native of 
Yorkshire, England. He i-anie to this country with thirteen children, 
and had another born here which he called his " Ameracan." He 
must have been a very odd teacher, as he spoke the Yorkshire dialect. 
He taught before my remembrance, but I knew him well when he 
lived at Rossville. He brought from England a recipe for the pre- 
vention of hydrophobi;i, which is still preserved among his descend- 
ants of the Everett family of Modena, Ulster county.;]; Some one 
found a nest of caterpillars on a tree and asked Mr. P. what they did 

* Dr. Johnston says of Elder Lawrence ( Auf o. 145), Newburgh's first Chorister: " When 
I took chatf^e of the congregation, an oUl Rontloman, one of the elders, was leader ; he 
was ipnorant of all rules of music, and his performance was sufficient evidence of all this." 

t Doc. Hist. N. Y. iv., 294. Mr Hartwick died Julv 17, 1796, at Clermont, N. Y., aged 
about 90 years. He spont 62 years in the ministry, and left a large estate for the promo- 
tion of religious purposes. The Hartwick seminary, in Otsego county, was founded from 
his estate. He was not located in Newburgli, but made occasional visits. 

X This recipe was copy-righted by Mr. Penny's heirs. It is still obtainable, and has 
very high testimonials of its efficiency. 



Recollections. 



179 



w . ,ak tl,.n, „„d cash thon, „ndo,- ,„„■ foet, just «o„," sta„ p^.g 
W f,,„t „n ,l,e g,.,„„ul. I l,av<. kM„w„ «.veral instance; wl,,.,-, l,i, 
med,e,ne has prevented hydrophobia. There was a groat d .1 , f 
hydr„pi,„.„a here during the war and alter its close. Anin,als wen 

to he seventy .. the winters, animals being unable to procure water 
M,. John Nathan H„tel,i„s liv.-d in the parsonage house duri,!g 
he war and taught school i„ „,c back room. He fottnded what w'* 
long known as " Hutchins' Pandly AIn.anac," for which he n rdeThe 
astronomical calculations. He was a lea-^ed man; b„ t. W 
read the church of England prayers literally. This gave offel ! 
^.me o the w „gs, who did not like tl„. idea of praying f„r the k ng 
Major saac Belknap took him to task on the subject "Tu, tu 
.r,e„d Isaac," replied Hutchins, "does not ,.,e Bible cn.mar^i.st^^; 
pray for our cnemips " " V..o " i « i, ^>'iiiiii<iiiu iis to 

don't believe in i"" ' """' "'""""■ " ' '"'"^ "'»'■ ^"t ' 

lived'in o'"' """"'"''l'- ""'"'"■"" '" "'^' •''^■'- -l'""l.-d also 
. a,d hght eo„,plex,oned, of English descent but a native of Bern „da 

I cl.. no, recolle.:t seeing Col. Jonathan Hash, .-k but I ve' 

often seen Mrs. Hasbrouck. They kept a store, and I w L „ ^ 

*h< „as tall, tlnn, and dark, and laced herself up i„ stavs She 

c ^zr'witr'i" '■" '"■ '-'' "-^ "'•■■ "'"■-"'" "'^»" '- 

Muivtrs^iiion with lior servants in Dnffh Tlw. i i i i 

:'.::; :;■ he t^r ■:;::,:, tt ""^■•■"™^^ -" 

v.nl w. f r ';'""'"• ^'" '^''t'-.i.niard usod to parade in the door- 
yaidwestol (iiehou.se Tiiev wpiv. .. fi,. i a v 

■ ^ , iii^y weie a hue body of men everv ..no 

SIX feet or over in liei_i.-ht ^ ^ 

.«.n Simpson and Brou,:;:,iZ:,,rt:.itt:;; ;rr -^ 

boys had a song comniencing-— ^^ ^*'^ 

"Gallus Brom Johnson rides up and down, 
Bringing the poor tones to Newburgh town " 

who"ei:.ed ilwh'""'' "" " ""'""■'' ''"''■ ^"" -'- "- "f »"<- 
tu He w '"'"™""' '"" *" "■■"■ »"""" '"■ ■''■'"»'> "•»"'"■'«=- 

resent an msult, and as quick to do a kind act. I remember an 
anecdote that diustrates the Major's disposition. It wa The cusbu 
for the people during the winter to take turns in breaki:,g the ":! 



l^Q HIS TOR Y OF NEWB UR GH. 

after a heavy fall of snow. On one occasion, while the Majin- was 
thus eng-ag-ed, Josepli Albertson'came along and the Maj\)r reminded 
him tliat it was his turn to work the road. Albertson replied very 
deliberately, " Major— you— lie "—a blow from the Major laid him 
floundering in the snow, but on reg:aining' his feet he completed the 
sentence, "under — a — mistake." "I am very sorry I struck you," 
said the Major, extending his hand, "but you must learn to put your 
words closer tog'ether." 

"Major Pettin-.?ale, the proprietor of Pettingale's landing and of a 
farm adjoining, was one of tiie officers who took leave of Washing- 
ton at Fraunce's tavern in New York. He was a Massachusetts man, 
larg-e and rather fine looking, very jocose and pleasant, but, like many 
of our officers, army life had injured his habits. He lived where the 
old poor-house now stands,* and died there. His son sold the farm to 
William Seymour. His wife was a very amiable woman, small in 
person, fair complexion and blue eyes, and looked too delicate to bear 
the fatigue of camp life, which she did with her children during the 
war. Tiiey had three sons, Joseph, Henry and Fry, and three daugh- 
ters. One of the daughters married Col. Price, who had charge of 
West Point at the time. The other two married Thomas Carscaden 
as his first and second wife. 

" Mr. Ward — the first and only one of that name that owned any 
Glebe land, except his sons, to my knowledge — lived and died in the 
hollow. I have already spoken of the Ward house. He left four 
children, two sons and two daughters. One of his daughters married 
a Mr. Wiiitehead, of Marlborough, and the other married Doct. Mor- 
rison. The sons, Williarh and Jerry, died bachelors. They moved 
from the hollow into a house on Liberty street, where they lived when 
I first knew them. They were quite old men then, and I think they 
were both over eighty at the time of their death. Affairs did not 
prosper with them in their old age — by some means they h)st all their 
property They were kind and easy in their disposition. Jerry was 
fortunate to die at home. William lived alone about three years after 
Jerry's death, and tlien had a room at Weigand's tavern where he 
died. They were in all ])robability the children of William Ward, Jr., 
although I never knew iheir father's name. Doct. Mi)rrison had three 
children, two daughters and one son. One of his daughters married 
a ship-carpenter named Bradley and lived here — the other married a 
Hawkins and removed to Ballston. His son, Hugh, was a physician. 

"Col. Bowman was one of tlie first lawyers who settled here. He 
had been a colonel in the army during the war. In person he was 
short and rather corpulent, large head and face, and a mouthful of 

* Corner of Water and North streets. His farm contained about ten acres. 



JiECOLLECTIONB. 181 



teeth as black as ebony. He always wore a cocked hat. He was a 
man of fine talents and g-entlemanly mannei's; but was very intem- 
perate during the last years of his life. His principal competitor was 
Mr. Sleig-lit, and afterwards Judge Fisk. Bowman's only child, Mary 
married Ben. Anderson, a lawyer but a worthless fellow. 

"The first tailor tliat had work done at his shop or house, was Mr. 
Cooper, father of Gilbert Cooper, and grandfather of Mrs. iStephen 
Hyatt. He removed from New York, at the close of the war, and 
took up his residence in High street. We had tailors l)efore his time, 
but, like the shoemakers, they used to whip the cat around the country 
— that is, they traveled from one house to another as their services 
might be required. Mr. June was our first fashionable tailor. A 
lawyer friend of Col. Bowman's lost some buttons from his vest, and 
asked him where he should go to get them put on. " Go down street," 
said Bowman, " and the first man you meet that looks like a gentle- 
man and wears a cocked hat, ask him and lie will do it for you." He 
referred to Mr. June, who was exceedingly neat in his dress. 

" George Gardner was a blacksmith by trade, and a man of much 
foi'ce of character. He married a widow Wyatt. They had three 
children — two sons and a daughter. William married a sister of 
Capt. Henry Robinson. The other son (I forget his name,) married a 
Miss Crissey. The daughter married Doct. Smith, and, after his death, 
Rev. Dr. Luther Halsey. Capt. Henry Robinson obtained the Gardner 
farm, and improved the property. 

" Edward Howell kept the first tavern where the Orange Hotel now 
stands. It was a frame building, two stories high and had a side 
entrance by stairs on Third street. Benjamin Case kept a tavern on 
the south-east corner of Water and Fourth streets. Benj. Case, Jr., I 
believe, had a hotel there afterwards. The Mansion House was the 
next principal hotel, and was built by Hugh Walsh 

" There was quite a settlement at Balmville both before and after 
the war. William Bloomer* had a blacksmith shop there, and Michael 
Demott a tavern. Isaac and Jacob Demott were sons of Michael. 
Bloomer lived in the house now the residence of H. K. Brown, and 
his shop stood in the south part of the garden opposite. Denton's 
grist mill was in the hollow back of Col. Hathaway's barn. He had 
a store and a wharf on the north side of the brook. The Flewwel- 
lingsf lived in that neighborhood. After the war Daniel Smith open- 



* Joseph Bloomer is the first of the name on record in the town. He bought part of lot 
No. 9, of the German patent, iu 1754, and sold a portion of it to Morris Flewwelling in 
17G4. William Bloomer was located on the remainder. 

t James, John, Abel, and Morris Flewwelling were early residents of the town. Abel 
married Abigail, daughter of Samuel Fowler; John was the first supervisor of the town 
(1772); Morris was supervisor in 1774. They appear to have been positive loyalists from 
the first. James joined Claudius Smith's band and was executed at Goshen in 1779. 



182 HISTOBY OF NEWBUBGH. 

ed a store there;* he afterwards built the large brick house on the 
east side of the road, and had a wharf on the south side of the brook. 

" In regard to the Balm of Gilead tree, my own observation con- 
firms the statement given by Isaac Demott, in Eager's Orange County, 
l)agc 200. Mr. Demott says that " the tree grew there naturally — 
that when it had grown large enough for a rail, he cut it down and 
used it for that purpose — that it sprouted from the root and he let it 
grow." Mr. Demott owned the place on which the tree stands, and 
hence would know more about it than any one else. I first saw the 
tree when I was between eight and nine years of age, which is 
seventy-six years ago. The trunk was then six or eight inches in 
diameter, and tlie top large and spreading. I remember the tree, and 
visited it often, as there was considerable talk then about its medicin- 
al virtues, but I have no recollection of their ever being tested, f 

"The Demott tavern stood a short distance east from the Balm of 
Gilead tree; it was a small affair, as were all the taverns of those 
days. The Butterworths done business at Balmville for some years, 
and had a store and a large distillery; but tliis was later. 

"The old Arthur Smith and Jehiel Clark farms were about half-way 
to Marlborough. Smith had a tavern (afterwards kept by his son 
Arthur), and there was a smith shop in the neighborhood. The place 
was then called "Middletown." There wei'e fourteen taverns on the 
road to Marlborough, and Smith's was in the center of the line.| 
There was a great deal of dram-drinking in the town after the war, 
and many were ruined by it. 

"I might give you some more information, perhaps, if I knew just 
what you wanted, but without prompting the past comes back slowly. 
It seems but a little while ago since our village was almost nothing, 
and I can hardly realize that it is the same place where I played 
when a boy. Yours, &c., JAMES DONNELLY." 



* Daniel Smith purchased from William Bloomer, in 1791, and from Catharine Demott 
and William Bloomer, executors of James Demott, in 1792. The latter purchase is describ- 
ed as lands "lying along the south line of the five patentees," i. e. the Harrison patent. 
Demott purchased from Daniel DarHng. 

t In regard to this remarkable tree— which is certainly the " oldest inhabitant" of the 
town— Mr. Gilbert Williams, now (1875) in his 80th year," and who became a resident in its 
vicinity in 1808, relates, that when in Nova Scotia (where he resided for nine years prior to 
1832), he became acquainted with John Cosman, who was an apprentice to Wm. Bloomer 
before the Eevolution, who stated that while be was an apprentice 'he had shod horses 
under it many a time, and that it was a large tree then. Mr. Williams measured the tree 
in 1832, and its circumference (two feet from the ground) was fifteen feet two inches. He 
measured it again in 1868, and found it to be nineteen feet live inches, showing its growth to 
have been four feet and three inches in thirty-six years. His own recollection of the tree 
added to Cosman's carries it back at least a hundred years, from which data and that of 
its rate of growth he is convinced that its age is much greater than that given to it by 
the Demott tradition. The tree was evidently planted. by some person, as it is not an in- 
digenous one. The first settlers were there "in 1709, and'may have brought it with them, 
but tlie probabilities favor a later period. It is dcchying now and will soon be gone. 

t The Smith house is now owned by John S. Purdy ; it has been rebuilt, and its original 
proportions are unrecognizable. Its age (1875) is about 120 years. 




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VILLA GE IN CORP OR A TION. 183 



CHAPTER IX. 

VILLAGE OF NEWBURGH — AMENDED GI.EBE CHARTER — SECOND WAR WITH 

ENGLAND BUSINESS REVIEW WAR OF THE REBELLION — CITY 

ORGANIZATION — GENERAL SUMMARY. 



AT the opening of the present century the inhabitants of the Ger- 
man ])atent tlircw off the township titles into which it was 
princijjally divided, and, for tlie purpose of securing better municipal 
government, united in an applicati(jn to the legislatui'e for an act to 
incorporate the village of Newburgh, a title which had been adopted 
in the act of 1797, organizing the fire department. In response to the 
application, the legislature passed, on the 25th of March, 1800, an 
act of incorporation, defining the bounds of the village and author- 
izing the election of trustees and other officers. The act further pro- 
vided that the trustees should have power to make, ordain and publish 
such by-laws, rules and regulations as should be deemed meet and 
proper, particularly in reference to public markets, streets, alleys and 
highways; to abate slaughter-houses and nuisances generally; to 
determine the number of inns or taverns, and grant licenses to the 
same; to restrain the running at large of geese, cattle, hogs and 
other animals; to erect and regulate hay-scales, and to have general 
powers "relative to anything whatsoever" that should concern the 
"public and good government" of the village thereby created.* 

The act took immediate effect, and on the first Tuesday in May after 
its passage, seven trustees, three assessors, three fire-wardens, a col- 
lector, and a treasurer, were elected; and the board of trustees 
organized under the presidency of John Anderson.f The immediate 
duties devolving upon them were comparatively light, and beyond the 
erection of a public market and the leasing of the stalls, the partial 
grading of Water street, and the adoption of a few general regula- 
tions, very little was done. 

Immediately after the incorporation of the village, an act was 



* Newburgh was the second incorporated village in the state. The village of Lansing- 
burgh was the first. 

t The records of the board from 1800 to 1804 have not been preserved; but from pub- 
lished reports it appears that John Anderson was president from May, 1800 to 1802; Levi 
Dodge from May 1802 to 1803; Jacob Powell from May 1803 to 1804, when George Monel} 
was elected. 



184 nmTORY OF NEM^BURGH. 

passed (March 20, 1801,) constituting: and appointing Robert Bowne, 
John DeWint, William Seymour, Levi Dodge, Johannes Miller, Hugh 
Walsh, George Clinton, Jr., Jacob Powell, John McAuley, Charles 
Clinton, William W. Sackett, George Gardner, and all such others as 
should associate for that purpose, a body corporate and politic by the 
name of " The President, Directors and Company of the Newburgh 
and Cochecton Turnpike Road," with a capital of $126,000, for the con- 
struction of a road from Newbnrgli to the Delaware river.* The 
stock was soon taken and the road constructed. In its effect upon 
the prosperity of the village, it was of far greater importance than 
that of municipal organization, opening as it did an avenue of trade 
extending for many miles into the interior, and connecting the southern 
tier of counties with tlie city of New York, via Newburgh. 

Meanwhile the affairs of the Glebe demanded attention. The trus- 
tees under the charter were acting, in a measure, in deliance of its 
provisions by denying to the church any participation in the revenues, 
and by appropriating the whole income to the support of schools. To 
remove the legal disabilities under which the trustees labored, the 
legislature passed, in 1803, " an act to alter and amend the charter of 
the Glebe lands in the German patent, in the village of Newburgh," 
by the terms of which the inhabitants on the patent were empowered 
to elect, on the second Tuesday in May, annually, three persons to 
"officiate as trustees of the aforesaid Glebe." The act also ordered, 
that the moneys arising from the annual income should forever there- 
after be appropriated solely to the support of schools; that $200 
should be paid annually to the trustees of the Academy, and that the 
remainder of the income should be paid to other schools which were 
then, or should be thereafter, established on said Glebe: "Provided," 
that if at any time thereafter, " a minister of the Episcopal church 
should be inducted on said patent," then the trustees should have 
power to " paj' annually for the support of said minister " such pro- 
portion of the moneys as should be " reasonable, according to the 
true intent and meaning of the charter." Under this act, an election 
was held at the house of Edward Howell (May 10, 1803), when Danl. 
Smith, William H. Smith and John Harris were chosen trustees. 

Thus the matter remained until 1805, when the members of the 
Episcopal church determined, if possible, to regain possession of the 
income of the Glebe, and to reestablish the provisions of the old 



* The arched bridge at Bridgeville, Sullivan county, which was completed in 1807, bears 
the only monument to the Directors of this road now remaining on its line. In the para- 
pet on the eastern abutment of this bridge, a niarblo slab was inserted with the inscrip- 
tion: "Jacob Powell, President; George Monell, Treasurer; Wilham H. Weller, Secretary; 
Jonathan Hedges, Charles Clinton, Levi Dodge, Daniel Stringham, Jonathan Fisk, Cvprian 
Webster, Reuben Neely, Daniel C. Verplanck, Hamilton Morrison, David Crawford- Direc- 
tors, 1807."— Qu2»iZa«'s Sullivan County, 537. 



AMENDED GLEBE CHARTER. 185 



charter. With a view to accomplish this, the bishop appointed the 
Rev. Cave Jones a<2;-ent for tlie church, and Messrs. Jonathan Fisk 
and Walter Case were employed sis counsel. To allay public excite- 
ment, a card was issued by the ap;ent and the counsel for the church, 
in which they pledg-ed themselves that in case the church should 
succeed in establishing her claim to the Glebe, the income therefrom 
should be appropriated according to the true intent and meaning- of 
the charter I'or the support of a free school for the children of the poor 
residing- on the patent; and that in renewing- leases, all things should 
be made " commodious and agreeable to the parties concerned." 

To this card was appended a call for a meeting of the male inhabi- 
tants ol' the ])atent, who were members of the Episcopal church and 
entitled to vote at other elections, to be held at the old Episcopal 
church building, on Monday, November 4, for the purpose of choosing 
"two Trustees of the Parish of Newburgh, according to the true intent 
and meaning of the charter granting the Glebe on the said Patent." 

The meeting was held — the votes otfered by those who were not 
members of the Episcopal church were rejected — eleven votes only 
were received, and Jonathan Fisk and Joseph Hoffman were chosen 
trustees. They then proceeded to reorganize the church, by the 
election of wardens and vestrymen, so that it might be in a proper 
position to maintain its authority by an appeal to the courts. 

For the purpose of determining the legality of the law (jf 1803, an 
action of ejectment was immediately brought by the church against 
Michael Nestle, who held a portion of the Glebe by virtue of a lease 
from the trustees elected pursuant to that act. The cause was tried 
November 26th, 1806, at the Orange Circuit Court, before Mr. Justice 
Tompkins, and the church was nonsuited. At the succeeding term, a 
motion was made to set aside the nonsuit, and argument was made 
before Justices Van Ness and Spencer. Mr. Fisk, on the part of the 
church, held, that the (n'iginal intention in granting the patent evi- 
dently was, that members of the Episcopal church alone should be 
permitted to vote at elections for trustees, and that to deny this 
position would be to defeat the intention of the charter. The act of 
1803, he held, was void, as the legislature had no power to divest the 
church of any rights vested by the charter in the original grantees of 
the Glebe. J. Radclifte and T. A. Emmet, on the part of the trustees 
under the act of 1803, held that the original charter w^as to " German 
Lutherans. On their removal from the tract, the remaining inhabi- 
tants being of the church of England or Episcopalians, met together, 
elected trustees, surrendered the original patent and obtained a new 
charter to them and their successors. If none but persons of the 
same religious denomination with those named in the original grant 






Igfi HISTORY OF NEWBllRGH. 

liad a ri<;-ht to vote, thcMi the Episcopalians, in 1750, had no rig-ht to 
elect trustees;" that tliere was as "much ground to object to the 
charter of 1752, under whicli the plaintifl" claims as to the. act of 1808, 
under which the defendant holds;" and that the Episcopalians, in 1750, 
acted in th(^ same manner towards the Lutherans, as the Presbyte- 
rians, in 1S03, acted towards the Episcopalians." 

But while in the arg-unuMit of counsel the case was nuide to depend 
entirely upon the (piestion of the riglit of the inhabitants of the 
patent, irrespective of church membership, to vote at elections for 
trustees, the point raised was not dc^cided by the court. In his 
opinion, Mr. Justit-e Nan Ness avoided the issue presented, ibr the 
avowed purpose of leaving the matter open to a compromise; but held 
that the trustees elet'ted under the act of 1808, were the trustees de 
facto, and were hence clothed with competent authority to grant the 
lease to Nestle, and that a new trial ought to be denied. 

Mr. Justice Spencer, iiowever, met the question presented, and held, 
that "right of election" was "expressly g-iven by the charter, to all 
male inhabitants of the German patent who were above the age of 
twenty-one years;" and that, " the plaintiff having failed to show any 
title," the defendant could not be disturbed in his possession. Al- 
though not regarded as a decision on the merits of the case, these 
opinions destroyed all hope of reestablishing the jurisdiction of the 
church over the Glebe, and further proceedings were stayed.* 

Tiie records of the trustees of the villag'e contain many proofs 
that they were nt)t neglectful of the duties devolved upon them by 
the charter. In 180-4, a public meeting was called by them for the 
purpose of adopting a plan for supplying the village with water; and 
during the same year a night-watch was organized. In 1800, public 
hay-scales w^ere erected; and several improvements nuvde in the 
streets. Private enterprise, too, began to yield its fruits. Turnpikes 
were opened in different directions, f thus increasing tlie commercial 
facilities of the town; and the Bank of Newburgh was established in 
1811. The results of these, and kindred enterprises, are forcibly 
illustrated in the fact that, from the overwhelming indebtedness, 
which rested like an incubus on the town at the close of the war of 
Independence, in thirty years it had attained such a position of wealth 
that it paid one-tV)urth of the tax of the entire county. 

But while the citizens of Newburgh were thus engaged in these 



* The case may be fonnd at length in 3 John. Rep. 115. No further legal proceedings 
were taken. 

t In 1808, the Newburgh and New Windsor turnpike was chartered, connecting at New 
Windsor, with turnpikes to Cornwall and Monroe. In 1810, the Newburgh and Sullivan 
turnpike penetrated the heart of the present county of Sullivan; and, in 1812, the New- 
burgh and Plattekill turnpike opened to the Newburgh market a rich agricultural secfiou 
of southern Ulster. 



SECOND WAR WITH ENGLAND. 187 

various enterprises, the cloud of war again darkened the national 
horizon. Tlie stirring up of the Indian tribes to the commission of 
liostilities, and tlie impressment of American seamen, were followed, 
on the part of England, by the fumous Orders in Council, which 
declared that all American vessels going to and frcjm the ports of 
Prance and her allies, without first touching at or clearing from an 
English port, should be considered lawful prizes. These orders pro- 
voked the Berlin and Milan Decrees, on the part of France, by which 
all vessels that had touched at an English port, or submitted to be 
searched by un English cruiser, were pronounced to be the property 
of France; while Bi'itish goods, wherever f(jnnd, were made subject 
to scnznre and confiscation. 

Under such circnnistances the ATuerican govermnent could not 
remain inactive, oi- allow its commerce to he ruled or ruined by the 
policy or the pride of Britain or ol' France. Accordingly in Decem- 
b(n', 1809, congress resolved to retaliate by laying an embargo upon 
all American vessels and merchandise. This embargo prohibited 
Am(!rit;an vessels froin sailing from foreign ports, and all foreign 
ships i'vom currying away American cargoes; and its effect was sud- 
deidy to suspend commerce, to expose thousands of merchants to the 
risk of bankruptcy, and to check at onc(! the flow of produce from the 
interior to the sea-board — results which were severely felt by the 
people and which tried their patriotism to the utmost. 

But while these measures — so disastrous to our trade in all its 
branches, and which issued in the Second War of Independence with 
England — were in progress, the citizens oi' Newburgh never wavered 
in their devotion to their country. From first to last, by resolutions 
passed in ccjnventions, by the expression of their sentiments through 
the ballot-box, by the prompt ofler of volunteers and by the contri- 
bution of men to actual service, they evinced their unflinching pur- 
pose to resist the "attacks of domestic enemies, and the insolent 
aggressions of foreign powers." The first formal manifestation of 
their sentiments occurred in 1807, when the local militia tendered 
their services to the governor of the state, as volunteers.* This was 
followed by the overwhelming defeat of the federal party, which was 
charged with being in sympathy with the English (though perhaps 
without other reason than its hostility to the war), at the election in 
1808. In March, 1809, the republicans held a county convention at 
Goshen, preparatory to the state election — Genl. Hathorn, chairman, 
and Jonathan Fisk, Esq., Col. John Nicholson, Genl. Reuben Hopkins, 
Capt. Josiah Brown, and Judge White, committee on resolutions — and 



* Reference is made to the " Ropublican Bines," a company of Lipht Infantry, com- 
manded by Alex. Denniston. 



188 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 

resolved, "Tliat we vi(>\v the layino- of an embarg-o as a wise and 
patriolie measure, iiujuMMously demanded by tlio exposed condition of 
our seamen, sliippiiii;- and trade, to the audacious outra,u-os of foreign 
powers — tliat it lias saved thousands of our seamen from imprison- 
nuMit and slavery, ami millions of property of our countrymen i'vom 
capture and confiscation." 

The convention was followed by anotluM' representing- the federal 
party — Daniel Xiven, chairman, and John Barber, Alex. K. 'fliompson, 
Alanson Austin, John Bradner, (i. X. Phillips. John Morrison, .lolin 
Duer, Samuel Sayer, Jonas Storey, Solomon Sleight, John Decker and 
Samuel B. Stickney, committee on resolutions — which resolved, "That 
the act for enforcing the enibargo, passed January 9th, 1809, in our 
deliberate opinion, is unjust, illegal and oppressive — subversive of 
tlie rights and dang(M-ous to the liberties oi' the people." 

The issue was thus tairly joini'd, and the electors of N(>wl»nrg]i 
responded by a vote of three hundred and twenty-seven for the repub- 
lii'an, and one hundred and twenty-one for the federal candidates. 
WluMi war was declared, even a larger majority approved the act, 
holding it to be "just and necessary to redress our grievances and 
avenge our violated rights;" and this pt)sition they continued to 
maintain until peace was restored. 

Soon after tlu> declaration of war, the hu-al military companies 
were ordered on duty and stationed at Staten Island;* and, at a later 
period, Xewburgh was temporarily made the rendezvous oi' the com- 
panies of Grenadiers, Tjight Infantry and Kitiemen of the 34th 
Brigade. f 

Among the numy facts which showt'd the temper of the people of 
Xewburgh during the war, maybe noticed the I'ontribution oi clothing, 
by tlu' ladies ol' the village, to the volunteers in service on the northern 
frontiers;! the detestation expressed, on all public occasions, of those 
who sympathized with the common enemv, or who esteemed the 



* The coiiiiiuiiy of Artillery under the command of Capt. Heury Bxittorworth, and the 
uniform ooini)anios of Ijight Infantry under the oonnnand of Captains Alexander Deu- 
nistun and Charles IMnlsall, of this town, have been ordered by his exeellency the Gov- 
ernor, to be in readiness to niareli to New York on the loth inst. — Imle.r, Ausr.ll, 1812. 

t CiENKUAi, OunEus- Albany, Sejit. 1, 1813.— The eoninanies of Grenadiers, Li};ht In- 
fantry and Ritlenten of the 3-itli Urifiade, will rendezvous for service at Newburgb, on the 
8th September inst.. at ten o"eloek in the forenoon. * * 

+ NEwm-uoH, Dee. 5. 1812.— '-Sm: Aeeomiianying this, your Excellency will find a 
packa,sj;e of two hundred and eighty woolen stockingrs and eijihty mittens. They are for- 
warded to you by the Ladies of this villa,«;e, with the request that you will send "to those 
of the Volunteer corps now on duty on our northern ti-ontiers whoin vour excelU'iicv mav 
suppose to be most in want of tlieiu. The unremitting attention which has marked yoiu- 
excellency's conduct since the declaration of war, towards the protcctiim of otir nortliern 
frontier and tnaratinie coast, and your constant endeavor to alleviate the situation of our 
fellow citizens who are in the liiilitary service, will, I hope, sufficiently apologize for 
troublin;: you with thi' disposition i>f this small tribute of respect to tliose brave and 
patriotic defenders of their country's rights. With considerations of much respect, and 
esteem, I am yours, sincerely, \V, ROSS. 

Hin Excellency, Gov. Tompkins.'' 



SECOND WAR WITH ENGLAND. 189 



blossiiig's of peace paramount to national honor;* and tlio v(!ry spir- 
ited celebration of Perry's victory on Luke P]rie. On the latter 
occasion, the trustees of the villa.n'e united witli ii eoiiiiiiittee of 
citizens, viz: Solomon Slcig'ht, Williiim ]{oss, Isaac iielknap, Jr., 
John S. Hunn, John Anderson, John Mandevill, Seth Belknap, John 
W. Morrell, Jcjseph Reeve and Hezekiah Belknap. The natioiuil Hag- 
was displayed in all public places in the village and from tlic masts 
of the vessels lying in the harbor; there was a public collation and 
sundry patriotic toasts at the Newburgh Coffec! House, and a pnj- 
cession and a very general illumination in the evening. These 
arrangements were entered into heartily by all classes of citizens, 
and the exercises (m the occasion were long held in remend)rance.f 

But sadness as well as joy entered into th(^ history of the town 
during the war. The enibarg(j act detaiiic(l in foreign jiorls many 
American vessels manned more or less by Newburgh men, whose 
uncertain fate catxsed solicitude in no small circle of friends; on the 
ocean American merchantmen were captured, and among their crews 
who languished in Dartmoor prison Newburgh also had its represen- 
tatives; mourning for his untimely fate and plaudits for his heroic 
example followed the announcement of the death of Lieutenant Ludlow, 
who, standing beside the gallant Lawrence, On th(! deck of the Chesa- 
peake, fought the English ship Shannon (June, 1813), and who, twice 
wound(;d and a prisoner, followed the body of his commander to its 
grave in Halifax, and on his return fell from his cliair, a lifeless corpse. 



* One of the resolutions adopted in 181.3, is mh follows: " lieaa/ved, That we consider the 
tories of the present war as having a much better title to the halter than the tories of the 
revolution, having had a longer time to get weaned from their iinnatural mother." 

t The Political fndex of September 30, 1813, contams a lengthy account of this celebra- 
tion. " Never," says that paper, " did such universal joy pervade the breasts of American 
citizens, as has been manifest<!(l on a recent occasion; and never has that joy been more 
distinctly, unequivocally and universally expriissed by the citizens of Newliurgh and its 
vicinity, than has been done; on rec(;iving the official letters announcing the late affair on 
Lake Erie. * * On the arrival of the news, a federal salute was fired from the U. S. 
corvette .John Adams, moored ojjposite the village, which vessel was decorated vnth the 
flags of different nations during the progrciss of the celebration. * At one o'cloclf, P. 
M., the trustees with upwards of one hundred citizens, partook of a collation at the; New- 
burgh Coffee House, after which, Josc^ph Morrell being chosen president, and Solomon 
Sleight, vice president, toasts were drank, and a song written for the occasion by the 
editor of the Index, was sung by Joseph Reeve. * * At seven o'clock P. M., at the 
signal of a cannon, all the windows in the village were brilliantly illuminated, some were 
ornamented with transparent paintings designative of Ihe occasion; others inscribed with 
the names of our naval heroes, whose deeds are destined to illume the historic page: all 
of which had a handsome effect, and, connected with the occasion, fin'd the soul with a 
proud satisfaction of being an American, and made the conscious heart to swell with fore- 
bodings of the rising glory of America. A numerous procession of citizens, headed by 
the band of music, now marched through the principal streets of the village. At nine 
o'clock, the lights were extinguished and the village enrobed in darkness." 

A tradition connected with this celebration relates, that the official news of Perry's vic- 
tory was brought to Newburgh by the corvette John Adams, referred to by tlie Itides, and 
that the vessel arrived in the bay on Sunday morning, and immediately fired a salute. 
The people, many of whom were in attendanci^ upon divine service, wen; in great con- 
sternation and rushed into the streets, ftiarful that an enemy's vessel had passed the 
Highlands and had commenced a bombardment of the village. Presently, the Adams ran 
up the " stars and stripes,'' and sent a boat on shore with the n(!ws, which was received 
with cheer after cheer. In the general joy the Sabbath was forgotten. 



190 HISTORY OF NEWBUROH. 

The history of the villag-e and of tlie town were marked by many 
incidents of more or less moment in a h)cal and temporary' point of 
view, daring the early part of the century; those which may be 
regarded as of historical significance, however, were few. Among the 
more important were the introduction of the Baptist and the Metho- 
dist churches, the reorganization of the Episcopal church, the estab- 
lishment of the Theological Seminary, and the visit to the village of 
La Fayette. The latter event was the occasion of public exercises in 
which the people of a large district of country participated. For the 
purpose of making suitable arrangements for his reception, a meeting 
was held at the Orange Hotel on the 17th August, 1824, and a com- 
mittee appointed, composed of the " members of the corporation of 
the village of Newburgh, together with William Ross, Selah Reeve, 
John D. Lawson, Ward M. Gazlay, John S. Hunn, Francis Crawford, 
David Ruggles, Samuel Williams, John W. Brown, Abraham M. Smith, 
Isaac N. Seymour, Walter Case, Samuel R. Betts, Leonard Smith, 
Daniel Smith, Levi Dodge, John Mandevill, Lntlier Halsey, Edmund 
Griswold, Thurston Wood, Joseph Morrell, William Belknap, John 
Belknap, Eleazer Gidney, John P. Dodge, and Jonathan Noyes." From 
this committee a delegation was sent to New York to consult the Gen- 
eral, and, in pursuance of arrangements for that purpose, beacon fires* 
on the mountains, on the evening of the 13th of September, announced 
that the visit would be made the next day. The streets were deco- 
rated with arches and evergreens, and strewn with flowers; inscrip- 
tions suspended, and the village crowded to its utmost capacity with 
j)e()ple; four companies of cavalry, and five companies of infantry 
(under command of Col. John VV. Brown,) performed escort duty. 
The General arrived about six o'clock in the evening on the 14tli, and 
was escorted to the Orange Hotel, where the addresses of welcome 
were delivered. At abt)ut 9, P. M., he attended a banquet by his 
Masonic brethren of Hiram Lt)dge, where he was received with 
Masonic honors and was addressed by the Rev. John Brown. Supper 
was served at 12, M., and at 2, A. M., the General took his departure 
for Poughkeepsie.f The lateness of the hour of his arrival and the 
shortness of the time of his remaining, prevented the more extended 
demonstrations which had been designed. 

The general progress of the town and village, from 1782 to 1820, 
is shown in the statement that the increase in population during that 
period averaged a fraction over one hundred annually, or about eleven 
hundred each decade. This increase may be regarded as the result of 

* The pyres of which these fires were made were thirty feet high, and their appearance 
is described as Vesuvian— " reflected from shore to shore" in the still waters of the Hudson, 
in two long, trembling columns." 

t Gazette, Sept. 18, 1824. 



BUSINESS REVIEW. 191 



the natural advantages of position which the town enjoyed. It was 
a period during- which not onl}'^ the trade of the large district adja- 
cent to Newburgh, but a very considerable portion of that of the 
southern tier of counties, found here its natural mart. No impulse, 
comparatively speaking, was given to this trade; it sprung from and 
was the result of the laws of commerce. In 1819, the trade of the 
village had extended itself as far west as Canandaigua, with which 
place Newburgh was connected by turnpikes over which passed stage- 
coaches conveying passengers, and freight wagons laden with goods. 
During the summer of this yeai-, a company was organized for the 
purpose of constructing a steamer on Cayuga lake, with a view to 
extend the route southward to Ithaca. The first meeting of the stock- 
holders of this company was held at Ithica, December 20th, and David 
Woodcock, Oliver Phelps, James Pompelly, Joseph Benjamin, and 
Lewis Tooker, were chosen directors, who appointed David Woodcock, 
president; Chas. W. Conner, treasurer; Chas. Humphrey, secretary, 
and Oliver Phelps, agent. To this enterprise the people of New- 
burgh were asked to contribute the sum of one thousand dollars. 
Tliirteen hundred dollars, however, were inmiediately subscribed and 
paid; and, in 1820, the first steamer on Cayuga lake plied in connec- 
tion with stage lines from Newburgh, " performing the route to Ithica 
in two days."* 

This western trade, however, was almost wholly cut off by the con- 
struction (A' the Erie canal, alth(jugh considerable travel by stage- 
coach continued until the opening of rail-roads through the center of 
the state. In common with other towns on the riv(M', an eff'ort was 
made by the citizens of Newburgh, in 1825, to secure the construction 
of a Macadamized state road from Buffalo to the Hudsf)n, through the 
s(juthern tier of counties. Tiie proposition was favorably received by 
the legislature, and commissioners were appointed to survey the 
different routes. Strenuous efforts were made by the people of Cats- 
kill and Ponghkeepsie to secure a terminus of this road on the Hudson 
whicli should be favorable to their interests, and similar steps were 
taken by the people of Newburgh ;f but the commissioners reported 



* This line was subsequently (1834) extended from Newburgh to Geneva and Buffalo, 
and the entire route from New York to Buffalo was performed in sixty-five hours—" the 
shortest and most expeditious route from the Hudson river to the western country." — 
Adv. in Gazette. 

t At a meeting of a number of gentlemen of the town of Newburgh, held at the Orange 
Hotel, on the 18th of January, 1826, pursuant to previous notice, Thomas Powell was 
chosen chairman, and Ward M. Gazlay, secretary*. 

After the meeting was called to order, the Hon. Jonathan Fisk addressed it in an able 
speech demonstrating the propriety and expediency of the state road terminating at this 
place. Mr. Buggies and other gentlemen addressed the meeting on the same subject, and 
after some consultation, it was resolved: That a committee of five, consisting of David 
Buggies, Selah Beeve, Jonathan Fisk, Ward M. Gazlay, and Thomas Phillips, Jr., be 
appointed to take charge of the interests of this place in relation to the state road. — Index, 
Jan. 20, 1826. 



192 ■ HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 

in favor of Catskill. The bill authorizing the making' of the road, 
however, was defeated in the legislature in March, 1826. 

The effect on the prosperity of Newbnrgh of the construction of 
the Erie canal, and the opening- of other new routes of travel to the 
west, is shown in the census returns, which exliibit a reduction in the 
average increase in population to six hundred and twelve during the 
decade ending with 1830. Notwithstanding this loss, a large trade 
still remained with the south-eastern counties of the state and the 
north-eastern counties of New Jersey and Pennsylvania; but, like the 
approaching trenches of a besieging army, the influence of internal 
improvements was again felt — the Hudson and Delaware canal pene- 
trated this district and bore off another source of wealth upon which 
much reliance had been placed. Efforts were made to repair the loss 
thus sustained by the organization of a company for the purpose of 
engaging in the whale fishery, and by endeavoring to secure the 
establishment here of a government navy-yard. The former enter- 
prise, however, met with limited success, and was abandoned; and 
the latter failed to receive the attention desired at the hands of the 
federal authorities. 

The principal trade now remaining to the village was that drawn 
from north-eastern New Jersey and from the nearer district embracing 
the counties of Orange and Ulster; but this trade was rapidly increas- 
ing and very valuable. The years 1834, '35, '36 and '37 wei'e marked 
by more than usual business activity. Speaking of this period, the 
Rev. James R. Wilson, in an address delivered before the Newburgh 
Literary Association remarked: " The average arrivals and departures 
daily, estimated together, cannot fall much short of three hundred, or 
eighty-four thousand in one season. The sections of country in the 
interior, occupied by these travelers, are generally connected with 
this village by some commercial ligament. Great numbers of them 
transact much business here. From late estimates of the amount (jf 
daily exports, from Newburgh, it would seem that in one season, they 
cannot fall much below four and a half millions of dollars."* 

Perhaps no event of this period aroused so much local attention as 
the organization of the Highland Bank. At that time (1832-34,) 
banks were chartered by the legislature, and were regarded as part 
of the legitimate spoils of political parties — charters being given to 
members of the party in power, who in turn apportioned the stock 
among their associates. The charter of the Highland Bank was 

* Records like the following frequently occur in the village papers from 1834 to 1840: 
" Yesterday, Water street was blocked up wth country teams for four or five hours, and 
twice during the afternoon thev were so jammed in that it was impossible to pass." — Tel- 
egraph, Nov. 13, 1834. 

" We learn that $300 per foot are offered for vacant lots on the new street (Front street), 
extending north from the whale dock, in this village."— Tei., Nov. 5, 1836. 



BUSINESS REVIEW. 193 



measurably within tho limits of this rule, althoug'h the petitions for it 
were based on an a|)parent local necessity for additional banking' 
capital. The Bank of Newburgh, established twenty years before, 
and, with the exception of the Bank of Orange County at Goshen, the 
only bank in the district, enjoyed a monopoly of the banking business 
of a large section of country. Its stockholders were naturally oppo- 
sed to an encroachment on the privileges which had been granted to 
them, and did not hesitate to remonstrate — assuming that it was 
amply able to supply all the legitimate commercial discounts that 
were required; that no further l);inking capital was necessary, and 
that the "sole object of many of the petitioners was to obtain direc- 
torships."* But the petitioners were active and sent from New- 
burgh, Glenham, Matteawan, Walden, Cornwall, and Monroe a formid- 
able list of advocates. The bill was vigorously fought in the legisla- 
ture — passed the assembly and was defeated in the senate (April, 
1833). At the succeeding session the application was renewed bj' the 
petition of two thousand persons. In the meantime the granting of 
the charter was made a question in the choice of members of the 
assembly. The democratic and the "national republicans "f were 
then the parties of the day; but the introduction of the question of 
rechartering the Bank of the United States changed the political 
associations of many, among others that of Isaac R. Van Duzer, a 
rising and somewhat distinguished politician of the county. After 
having been twice returned to the assembly, he was dropped by 
the democrats and immediately taken up by the opposition. | A 
close canvass succeeded. The town of Minnisink, which had given 
Jackson 417 majority, followed Van Duzer's lead and gave him 426. 
Newburgh, on the other hand, which had only given Jacksim a small 
majority, cast 686 votes for Gilbert 0. Fowler and the democratic 
ticket and only 260 for Van Duzer— a result which was due almost 
entirely to the Highland Bank question, and which secured the return 
to the legislature of Genl. Fowler, its ]u-incipal advocate. With a 
shrewdness quite common in later days, Fowler made the granting of 
the charter a political privilege. Opposition thus became hopeless; 
the Bank of Newburgh quietly withdrew an application which it had 
made for an increase of capital, and the charter passed the assembly 
by a vote of 109 to 4, and the senate by 27 to 3. The institution was 
so(jn successfully organized, and proved the necessity for its creation 
in the demands for accommodation which it was enabled to supply to 
the business of the place. 



* Communication in Telegraph, Jan. 1832. 

t The opposition to the democratic party assumed the name of "whigs" in 1836. 
i Hammond's Political History of New York, ii. 435. 

013 



194 llISTOliY OF NEWBUBOH. 



The expansions jind spccnliitions wliicli swept o\ov llic (•(Uintry in 
1885-'37, nnd in the (iri^-in of whicli. viewed iVoni one stand-point, tlie 
org'anization oi' the llii^-ldand I^ank was an element, were not without 
th(Mi' iuHuenee on the viUa,u-e; ri'al I'state advanced to prices wdiich, in 
many instances, have not since that time hi'cn realized, aiul hnndr(>ds 
of citi/,(Mis found themselvt^s sudih'nly eomparativcdy ricli by a process 
which tliey ditl not umhMstand; Imt neither tiie business of the banks 
nor of tlie viUau'e was materially spei'ulative, and when tlie suspen- 
sions of 1S;?7 cam(> on, they were little lelt eNcejit, oi' course, in the 
immediate channids of association with the universally depressed 
trade and commerce ol' the nation, and in the locking" up of bankiui;" 
capital in suspended |)aper and extensions. In another form, the his- 
tory o[' i7S() repeated itself: instea(1 of loaning' bills of credit, the 
W'ov baid<iiig law gave to indi\idnals the power to convert their real 
estate into active t-apital by its mortgage foi- bills ni' circulation, and 
Mr. Thomas Powell and others associateil under it and establislieil, in 
1S;>S. tht- Powell Hank, which alVoided relief to trade. 

It was during this periiul that the const I'uct ion of the X(>w York 
and Krio railroad was conunenced, and the K-gislature was asked to 
aid the project by a loan of the creilit of the state. Previ.uis to this 
applii'ation, the citi/.(Mis of Newlnu-gh had secure(l a I'harter for a 
rc»ad from the Hudson \o {\\v Delaware river, with a view to I'l'ach the 
coal beds o\' Pennsylvania; but this cliart(M- had lieen ptM'initted to 
bectnne void. When the loan was proposed, an etVort was made to 
connect the Pidaware and Hudson road with the Krie. and thus give 
to Nowburg'li the eastern terminus, 'riirough local jealousies and 
bickerings between tlu' leading capitalists of Newburgli and of 
(loshen, in regard to the route which sluuild be given to the road, 
Newburgli lost the pri/.i' whii'h her people hoped to grasp.* The 
road to the Delaware, howt'ver, was recluirtered, and a portion ot" the 
route was graded. 

Under the tuiancial revulsions of 1887. wm-k was suspended on both 
the Erie and the Delaware; but on the former it was soon resumed 
and the road completed from Picrmont to (loshen. The eft'eet of the 
opening o\' this section was even more disastrous to Newburgli than 
had been anticipated. The ci'usiis returns, which, for the decade 
ending with the year 1840, had exliibited an incn>asc in population of 
twenty-live hundred and nine, ga\e only sixty-eight as the incr(>as(> 



* They have a tradition in Ooslion tli:\t Mv. Tliomas rowill iusistoil tliat tl>o road sliould 
conio to Nowlmvixli wiili.uit passinu: tln-oiii;li Ciosln-ii; that (u'ul. Wii-khani lield tliat it 
shiuild pass tiirouuili Ctoslu'n and slioiild not i-onio to Nowlmrsh ; tliat IMr. rowoll rofusod 
to i-onipromiso, and tliat (lonl. Wickliani canii'il liis itoint tliruntrli tlio aid of ^Villialn H. 
Soward. For tlio tnitli of tlio traiiition wo do not ^dn^dl : tllo rionnont and (ioslioii 
routo was otTtaiiily adojjted -tlio riorniont terminus most uiiwisi'lv ; a rosult tliat might 
lUM-liaps have boon avortod had the poojdc ot tlio ooniUy aotod in harmony. 



BUSINESS BEVIEW. 195 



for the five years ending witli 1845. Real estate fell off one lialf in 
value, and depression |)ervaded all branches of business.* 

At this time diftieuitic^s arose in the prosecution of the work on the 
Erie road, and fresli efforts were niad(> to secure to Newburgh some 
of tlie advantages of its construction. This was accomplished by 
an agreement on the part of tlie Erie company — confirmed by an act 
of the legislature releasing the company from its liabilities to the 
state — to construct a branch road to Nevvburgh. This road was com- 
pleted in 1849, and, with the Erie, was the beginning of the railroad 
system which now so c-.ompletely bisects and intersects the county — 
literally ct)vering it with a net-work of irtui rails — the second link in 
which was tht' Warwick Branch road, a fec^der of the Erie and of 
the Newburgli Branch; the tliird, the Montgomery and Erie, con- 
necting witii the latter at (Joshen; the fourth, the Pine Island and 
Erie, connecting at Gosh(m; the fifth, the Newburgli and New York, 
(Short-cut), conn('ctiug with tlm Erie in Monroe; the sixth, the Wall- 
kill Valley, coniuH^ting with tlie Montgomery and Erie; the seventh, 
the Unionville Brancli, connecting at Middletown ; the eighth, the 
Crawford and P]rie, connecting at Middletown; the ninti),the Oswego 
Midland, connecting at Middletown; the tenth, tlie i\lontic(dlo and Port 
Jervis, connecting at Port Jervis; and the eleventh, the N. J. Midland, 
sweeping the south-west border of the county. With the exception of 
the W^arwick and the Short-cut, this system, while affording unsur- 
passed facilities for intercourse between most of the towns of the 
county, has been detrimental to the business of Newburgli — the Wall- 
kill Valley and the Crawford roads especially so, the former repeating, 
with I'cference to the trade ol' southern Plster and a portion of east- 
ern Orange, the experience of the Erie with that of westei'n districts. 
While to some extent this loss has been replaced from other sources, 
th(( ancient trade ol' tiie phu'c has as certainly ceased forever as has 
the ancient mode of transit. The lines of farmers' wagons and their 
stores of butter and pork, have alike entered the domain of history. 

Without the linaneial ability to so control the enterprise of other 
conmunnties as to render the modei'ii avenues of communication which 
they have constructed tributary to the interests of Newburgh, the 
capitalists and business men of the place have made a bold struggle 
for years against the combinations which have threatened its over- 
throw. At each succ'cssive stage of the changes growing (»ut of the 
general devcdopment of the country, successive generations have met 
the requirements which have been laid upon them. The labor, the 



■* Mr. Eager, writing at this period, remarks: "Such woro the deadening influences of 
the construction of this road, tor a few years, that it prostrated the busini'ss of the place. 
Houses were tenantless, men shut \i\) their shops and removed to more favorable locah- 
ties, and the whole trade of the mechanic arts stood still." 



iy(; HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 

liberality, and the capital which was necessary in 1801, to carry the 
Cochecton turnpike to completion, was, considering' the comparative 
value of capital and labor, ecpial to that involved in the construction 
of any railroad in the ctinnty. But it was not the only undertaking- 
of that character: its capital of $12(5, ()00, was followed by a capital 
of $5,000 in the New Windsor turnpike, $90,000 in the Newburgh 
and Ulster turnpike, $35,000 in the Newburgh and Sullivan turnpike, 
$14,000 in th(> Newluugh and Plattekill turnpike, and $14,000 in the 
8nake-hill turnpike — making a total of $284,000 (>xpend(Ml for roads 
prior to 1820. This sum was, of course, shared to some extent by 
residents along tlie lines oi' the roads, but the greater part was drawn 
from Newburgh. The expenditure on the abandoned Delaware rail- 
road was undertaken single-handed; and was followed by a subscrip- 
tion to the coustnu'tion of the Erie Hrant-li of one-third its cost, and 
an additional sum of $145,000 by lo;ni or endorsements. Scarce had 
this requirement bi'eii nn't when the construction of plank-roads to 
Kllenville and to Shawauguidv were undertaken, involving an expen- 
diture of about $150,000; and further i-apital was drawn out for the 
Warwick Branch and for the Puchess and Columbia railroad. On all 
this expenditure but a single bonded debt ($10,000) remains. The 
wondiT is not that so little, but tliat so mucli has been done; that in 
the struggles of half a century the place has not been remanded to 
the comparative desolation which has overtaken other communities, 
rather than to have maintained a certain and substantial growth. 

Sharing to some extent in the ventures which were followed by the 
panic of 1857, the busin(>ss of the village was more or less affected 
by the revulsions of that period; but this was due to outside associa- 
tions, rather than to local causes, and though for a time the embar- 
* rassment of a single firui, largely interested in several commercial 
and mechanical enterprises, threatened general disaster, that result 
was happily averti>d. A singl(> wreck, if such it may be called, of 
any considerable magnitude, was thrown upon the shore — the Powell 
Bank — not because of its insolvency, but through the necessity of 
employing its capital in other channels, a change which was effected 
without loss to tlie public. The general business of the village soon 
resumed its activity, and the decade closed with prosperity. 

The local incidents of tlie succeeding decade, embracing principally 
the war o\' the rt'bellion, have their record in the publications of the 
times, and need not be rept'ated. For over four years, in the going 
luMice and in the return of volunteers, 

"lu the town — through every street, 
Tramp, tramp, went the feet;" 

every church-spire became a staff from which Hoated the national flag, 



WAR OF THE REBELLION. 197 



and every pulpit its forum; the duties, the anxieties which the conflict 
imposed entered into the daily life of the community. In their con- 
tributions to the prosecution of the war, it cannot be said that the 
people of Newburg-h faltered in sustaining the constitutional govern- 
ment. Growing out of political issues which had divided parties in 
some degree for half a century, the discussion of the questions which 
the war evolved was more or less tinged with political' associations 
during its entire progress, and many men were prejudiced or ex- 
alted at the behest of factions; but the underlying sentiment of the 
great mass of the community was with the government. Before 
the drums of the conflict had begun the call for volunteers, the first 
company of men in the subsequent forces of the state was in organi- 
zation,* and in rapid succession other organizations followed, anticipa- 
ting or redeeming the fullest requirement of the national and state 
authorities. Briefly recapitulated,f these organizations were: 1. Com- 
pan}^ B, 3d regiment, recruited in March and April, 1861; 2. Company 
B, 36th regiment, recruited in May and June, 1861 ; 3. Company I, 
list regiment militia, recruited principally from company L, 19tli 
regiment; 4. Companies A and B, and parts of C, D, and G, 56th regi- 
ment, recruited between July and October, 1861; 5. The Saventh 
Independent Battery, in part, recruited with 56th regiment; 6. Com- 
panies D, E, F, I and L, 19th regiment militia; miscellaneous enlist- 
ments, prior to July, 1862, one hundred and eleven. Under the calls 
of July and August, 1862, 410 men were required from the town, and 
501 furnished, 211 of whom were enrolled in the 124th, and 166 in 
the 168th regiment. The call of July, 1863, required 443 men, of 
whom 90 were furnished; but it was merged in the calls of October, 
1863, and of February, March, and July, 1864, i-equiring 156 — num- 
ber furnished, 821, of whom 11 were not credited. The total of 
enlistments (including reenlistments) was 2250 — the total of men 
required 1226. The public subscriptions and loans of the town (in- 
cluding at that time the village), for the promotion of enlistments and 
for bounties, were: 1861, by individual subscriptions $1,385, bonds of 
the village $5,000; 1862, individual subscriptions $11,512; 1864, town 
bonds $115,100 — total, $204,991. In addition to this sum, the town 
expended for special relief (1863-'4), $1,015.50; expended by aid 

* The following is a copy of tlie first recruiting handbill issued in Newburgh. The vol- 
unteers enlisted under it wore included in Co. B, 3d regiment, Capt. S. W. FuUerton, Jr. 

" To Akms ! To Arms ! A recruiting office has been opened at the office of Fullertou ik 
Van Wyck, corner Second and Water streets, Newburgh, for the purpose of (enlisting a 
company of Voliuiteers, in pursuance of the provisions of the act passed April !(!, 18G1, 
entitled" An Act to authorize tlut equipment of a Volunteer Militia and to provide for the 
public defense." Two hundred able-bodied nu^n wanted, who will be armed, equipped 
and paid by the state. JAMES A. RANEY, lleeruiting Officer." 

Dated April 17, 1861. 

t Details are reserved for a subsequent chapter, not only in regard to military organi- 
zations but other matters connected with the war. 



li^g mSTORY OP KEWBVBOn. 

society and in contributions to the Christian Commission, $12,387.31 
raising- the total to $218,459.81. and the furtlior sum of $321,320* for 
special income and internal r(>venue taxes to Januarj' 1, 1865— a 
o-i-and total of $539,719.81. 

The sacrifices imposed on the town by the war were not without 
their compensations. The depressions in business incident to the 
suspensions of trade and the derangements of mechanical and com- 
mercial enterprise, were succeeded b}^ activity in the channels which 
the war developed; speculation became rife; the prices of real estate 
and tli(^ C(Mnpensatioii o{' labor were g'reatly enhanced; the expan- 
sions or inflations of the times, illcg-itimate and unsubstantial though 
they may have been, marked their career in monujnents of substantial 
prog'ress. Born of the impulses of the new era, the village passed 
(April "22, 1865,) to incorporation as the City of NEWBrRon, and elected 
its first mayor and a common council; a visible police was estab- 
lished; the streets were given location and bounds by commissioners 
for that purpose; the facilities for public education were multiplied; 
the abocU's of meclianies and artisans were mad*' to vio with tliost^ of 
the woaltliy of preceding generations; the liomcs of tlio wealthy to 
emulate the palaces of Europe. Perhaps many of these results were 
in advance of the necessities of the day and infiicted subsequent detri- 
UKMital burdens on the community; nevertheless were they the out- 
growth of the war. 

Old things liave indeed passed away, and all things liave become 
new. The old Bank of Xewburgh, and the building inmiediately 
opposite, are the otdy structures that remain of those which graced 
Water street half a century ago. One by one, by removal or by 
fire, the wooden buildings of the Orange Hotel block, and those on 
the same side of the street as far as the old stand of Joseph Hoflnian, 
which was the last to fall before the march of improvement, f gave 
place to those of the present; while fire swept off the stores on the 
east side from Third street south to the middle of the block, and from 
First street north to the brick building south of the Highland Bank.| 
Reviewing these changes in general terms, it may be remarked that 
the vicinity of Colden's gore was the original business center of the 
city; and when the Bank of Newburgh was chartered, an effort to 

* Partly estimated. The totals in some other instances are less than the actual amounts. 

t That venerable old wooden building, on the corner of Water and Second streets, with 
its humble front and moss-covered roof— its sign of a sheaf of wheat, denoting its occu- 
pant as one wlio furnishes the stall" of life— luis been knocked into rubbish \inder the 
mipulse of imiirovement. After having served nearly half a century as a place of 
business to that patriarch among our citizens, Joseph Horthian, it has had to move the 
way of many sublunary things, to make room tor a more costly and elegant specimen of 
art. Workmen are now employed in laying the foundation of a substantial brick edifice 
on a spot which so long sustained the old yellow wooden bnilding and around which were 
clustered so many associations connected witli the history of Newburgli. — 7W. ■luly 15, 1841 

:} The account of these and other tires will be given iii u subsequent chapter. 



GENERAL SUMMARY. 



199 



locate the banking house there, was only defeated by a majority of 
one vote in the board of directors. In 1812, the stores on the west 
side of the gore were erected and were occupied — counting from 
First street north — the tirst by James Denniston, the second by Selah 
Reeve, the third by Lott & Chambers, the fourth by John Aiiderson, 
Jr., the fifth by Samuel Williams,* and the sixth by William H. Smith, 
beyond which came the old stand of James W. Milh'r. On the oppo- 
site side of the street was the brick store of Jacob Carpenter, then 
occupied A. Gourlay & Co.,f now the corner of Water and Carpenter 
streets, and beyond this, on the corner of the old road to Gardner's 
dock, was the brick store of Chauncey Griswold, while at the head 
of the gore stood the old Colden house. Water street was then ex- 
tended south, and the Colden house falling partly within its line, was 




WATER STREET FROM COLDEN'S GORE — 1859. 

removed; and about the same time the old road to Colden's dock 
was closed, and First street opened. Soon after, John T). Lawson 
erected, on the north-east corner of First street, a block of wooden 
buildings, which were destroyed by fire and were succeeded by the 
ware-house of Daniel Farrington and other stores. These buildings 

* American Manufactured Goods.— The subscriber respectfully informs the public 
that he has opened a store in Colden street, where he has a general assortment of Cotton 
Goods, which he will sell at the factory prices for cash or approved credit — among which 
are, Bed ticking, Ginghams, Stripes of dillerent kinds, &c. Nitting, twist and colored Yarn 
from No. 5 to iO, a general assortment of European, East and West India goods, which he 
will sell on advantageous terms to the purchaser. S. WILLIAMS. 

Newburgh, June, 1812.— ^4 c/u. in PolUical hidex. 

t A. GouRLAY it Co., have removed to Capt. Jacob Carpenter's brick store, in Water 
street, where they are now opening a very general assortment of Dry Goods. — Adv. 



200 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



were also destroyed by fire, and the present block took their place. 
About 1835, the Colonnade Row was erected by Col. James Denniston, 
and the banking- house of the Highland Bank by John Ledyard. The 
fine building adjoining- the Highland Bank on the south was erected 
by John Flanagan. The buildings on the east side of Water street, 
soutli of Third, were erected by Messrs. Reeve & Falls, John Lawson, 
John Jamison, John Clugston, and Samuel G. Sneden, and the block 
was completed in its present form by Benjamin Tyler. On the west 
side of Water street, between Second and Third, the first brick ht)use 
was built by John Brown, an Irish refugee of the rebellion of 1798, 
and was subsequently occupied by his sons, John and James S. 
Brown; the buildings from thence nortli to Tliird street, including the 
old store of John McAuley, gave place to tlie present structures, 
erected by William Walsh, C. A. Jones, and others. On the east side 
of the street, the Messrs. Crawford erected, in 1827, the buildings now 
standing on the north-east corner of Third street, the upper part of 
the second of which was occupied as part of the Mansion House 
adjoining on the north; the brownstone front was erected b}^ A. K. 
Chandler on the site of a portion of the cn-iginal Mansion House.* 
The succeeding brick stores were erected by Eli Hasbrouck, John 
Farnara (1832), and William L. Smith; John P. DeWint filled up the 
street leading to his wharf with the building, now 102 Water street; 
the old Farmer's Hotel of Benjamin Case, corner of Water and Fourth, 
gave place to the present structure erected by Cornelius C. Smith. On 
the opposite side of the street, John P. DeWint erected the buildings 
between the Orange Hotel and the Bank of Newburgh, in place of 
the wooden block destroyed by fire in 1837; Jacob and Sebring 
Fowler erected the Fowler drug store, and Gardiner's old Newburgh 
Coffee House "f" gave place to the more substantial structure on the 
corner. Between Fourth and South streets, on the west side, there 
was but one brick ht)use as late as 1837; that was owned and occu- 
pied by John D. Lawson. A blacksmitli shop succeeded; a stone- 



* The Mansion House was erected by Hugh Walsh (ante p. 181) about 1798. It was one 
of four buildings erected by him, the second being now No. 100 Water street, the third 
that on the north-west corner of Water and Fifth street, and one on Western Avenue. 
They were all of the hipped-roof style of architectviro. The Mansion House is now rep- 
resented by Nos. 86 and 88 Water street. Its original bar-room is now No. Si. Its use as 
a hotel was discontinued in 1834, when it was oflered at auction sale, as appears from the 
following notice in the Teleijrnph in March of that year : " Col. David Crawford offered at 
auction sale, -Jan. 29th, 1834, three lots on Water street, 17x75 feet (the old Mansion House 
property). The north lot brought M,900, the next $4,525; the sale of the third was stop- 
ped, the owner regarding the price too low." 

t An advertisement in the Kights of Man, Jan. 6, 1800, offering this property for sale, 
supplies the following description of it and its surroundings at that time: "An elegant 
well built three story house, and another adjoining it, known by the name of the New- 
burgh Coffee-room and Cott'ee-house ; also, a commodious kitchen round the corner, a 
good well of water with a pump before the front door. Said houses are situated on the 
corner of Water street and Fourth street, opposite to the public ferry." There were no 
buildings on the opposite side of the street, and the river flowed over Front street. 



GENERAL SUMMARY. 201 



yard, and the residences of Uriah Lockwood and Mr. Purdy, the 
latter on the corner of Water and Fifth; two or three frame bnildings 
came next, and the barn of David M. DuBois, and a high garden 
wall iilled out the corner of Water and South. The present struc- 
tures were placed there by Jacob Brown, who also erected the block 
on the opposite side of the street; from whence south to Fifth no 
material chang-e has been made for years. The building on the south- 
east corner of Fifth and Water is a modern structure, and soon after 
its erection the upper part was finished for a lodge room, at very con- 
siderable expense, by Orange County Lodge, I. 0. of 0. F. An old 
wagon-wright's shop adjoining was removed soon after by Edward 
Wait; James McCann's hotel is now a store; Robert Gardiner's con- 
fectionery remains; the north-west corner of Fourth and Water was 
the residence of William Seymour. 

Front street was opened in 1833, and was mainly the river front 
filled in except where covered by docks, which, by its construction, 
were extended to the east side. Prior to that time the extensive 
brewery of Law, Beveridge & Co. had been erected on the river 
side; the Messrs. Crawford erected their large store-house in 1828,* 
and a similar building was put up by Benjamin Carpenter in 1829. 
The latter is now included in the store-house of Homer Ramsdell & 
C(j., and the former was destroyed by fire in 1873. In 1833, Isaac R. 
Carpenter commenced the erection of the United States Hotel and the 
construction of the long wharf ;f the latter was graced with a pas- 
senger house and the most famous bell on the river. Previous to that 
time the landing was near the east line of Front street; it was here 
tliat the Chief-justice Marshall horrified the town by the explosion of 
iier steam-chest. South of First street was the old Colden.-Denton,- 
Gardner,-Powell store-house and wharf, the birthplace of the steamers 
Highlander and Thomas Powell, whose reputations have been pre- • 
served, while those of the Baltimore, the Legislator, the Providence, 
the William Young, the James Madison, the Superior and the Wash- 
ington, have passed away with the purpose which the}' filled. The 
original store-house was destroyed by fire; its successor was removed 



* "Among the improvements of the present season, we ought not to forget the substan- 
tial and commodious ware-house erected bj' the Messrs. Crawford, as it seems to indicate 
that the increase of business in the village requires extended accommodations." — Index, 
Oct. 18, 1828. 

t "The improvements on the Ferry Wharf are on the most extensive, and, we might 
almost term it, magnificent scale. This wharf is being constructed by Col. I. R. Carpen- 
ter, and is to be extended to the utmost limits warranted by the State grant of the land 
under water, that is to say live hundred feet from high water mark. Its increased breadth 
at the outer extremity, one hundred fi^et, will add much to the convenience and safety of 
passengers going on board, or landing from the steamboats; while the splendid new hotel 
which Col. C. is also erecting at the junctitm of the wharf with the main land, will not 
only otter a noble object to all who pass the village on the river, but will be of essential 
comfort to persons waiting for steamboats, or whose business confines them to the water's 
side." 



202 



HIsrORY OF NmVBURCrll. 



ami iin'orporattnl with lliat of C'arjxMilcr's in the cstaMishnicnt now 
o{' HoiiuM' Ixaiiisdoll »!<c Co. South o[' tlio Powell wharf was (hat oi' 
tho Nowhmg-h Whaling- Company, whoso niassivo store-house in the 
rear on Water street is now a l>rewi>ry. .Vdjoiniiiii- the latter the 
river front was unoeeupied exeept by a sing-h^ tislu'ruian's dwelling- 
and reels; then eanii' the docking venture of John W. Wells; then 
the large briek house (destroyed by tire a few years ag-o") known as 
the Hath Hotel, built by Thomas Colden as a resort for invalids in 
ipi(>st o{' \\ic pure air north o( tlu> Highlands; then the old " Ked 
Store-hous(\" on a wharf in part constrnettnl bv -lonathaii llasbrouck 




.SOUTH-KAST VIEW OF SKWIU'EHH — 1K3S. 

prior to the war o[' \\\c !\evolutioii, and ai whieii the liai'g-(>s o[' (JtMil. 
Washington were inoort'd whiU' he oeeupied the llaslu'onek house; 
and tinally tlu' brtnvery of James Kenwiek, on the Higler wharf, whose 
proprietor founded there a small city, with a ehureh and a few dwell- 
ings, and an innumerable number of lots and streets now uuiinlv 
traced in legal reeiu'ds. Neither Western AviMiue nor Colden street 
were opened through until after the eommeneenient ol' the present 
century. The t'ornit-r was tirst occupied by tiie Cochecton Turnpike 
Company, who cut a road-bed four rods wide through the blntV west 
of Colden street. This cut was long known as the ■"ilug-way," and 
the plateau on either side was unoccupied until the Carpenter foundry 
was erected on the corner of (xrand strmn. A frame hot«d and stable 
occupied the coriun- on Colden street for nt>arly half a century, and on 
the"i>pposite side o\' {\\c avemu* was a steam grist mill and a black- 
smith shop. Near llit> north end o[' ColdiMi street was the rude stone 
tavern ki>pt by Thomas Cardner — a building- as old as iiead-tpuirters, 
and the birthplace of (nud. Gardutn- ot' the Confedtu-ate service in com- 
mand at Tort Hudson ii\ the war {A' tlu' rebi>llion. None o\' the busi- 



GENERAL SUMMARY. 203 



ness streets of the city have been ihdi-c improvc^d, during- tlic past 
tw('nty-fiv(^ years, unles8 it be Front street. 

But without further specification, the assertion is justified, tliat the 
resident of" even forty years a^'o would now fail to recog'nize Front 
street, Water street, or Golden street, except by a few ancient land- 
marks whose proprietors have not responded to the spirit of chang-c; 
the pliiiii (lid farmer with his .Icrscy wag-on loaded with pork or butter, 
long- since lost to trade, would himself be lost in the mag-intude of 
the single freighting- establishment which has taken the place of its 
prog-eiiitors; the lad who (^ast his fortunes on the Pacific in 1847, 
and carried with him visions of tli(^ orchards and open lands west of 
Liberty street, would lind, in the new strectts and the many dwelling-s 
which to-day sw(H'p from north to south, and shut out the sun from 
his old play-ground, no realization ol' the j)ictui'es on the walls of his 
memory. 

For the l)ea.utv of its private residences, the (;ity had not a high 
reputation fifty years ago, though perhaps its standard was quite 
up to the re(piirements of the age. The Riiggles house, in Wash- 
ington Place, and the residences adjoining on the north, were, when 
erected, r(\garde(l as the most (degant, and views from the fornier 
foiind their way into the sketch-books of the times, 'i'lien came the 
Storms house (late Pjdward R. .lolines, south of the iron-works), and 
the residences of William lloe and David ('rawl'orc] on iNbmtgomery 
street; Francis Crawl'ord (now Harvey Weed); J(»liii W. K iic\cls, 
north of the Washington street s(-hool-liouse; l)ani(d Rogers,* be- 
tween High and (irand strcsets, and Bcnijamin Carpenter adjoining, 
and those of Isaac R. Carpenter, Odell S. Hathaway, dohn W. Brown, 
and Fre(lerick J. Betts (at Balmville). Now, charming cottages and 
sumptuous villas are to be seen in every direction, and year by year 
the hills and plateaus in the city and vicinity are more and more 
crowtled with the abodes of wealth, not only of modern structure but 
those whose walls have been rebuilt and enlarged — among the latter, 
the former residence of Jacob and Thomas Powell, now of Homer 
Ramsdell; that of Samuel Downing, now of William W. Carson, and 
that of William Leach, now of S. R. Van Duz(m-, the latter mainly the 
result of the skill of the late Dr. Hull. While on Water street may 
be readily detected the prevailing architecture of places of business 
at dilfei-ent pei'lixls — the building- on th(^ corner of Water and Second 
streets rej)resenting the earliest, — on Grand, Liberty, and indeed on 
almost all of the upper streets may be s(H'n that of residences, the 
head-quarters house representing the earliest. More creditable to tlu; 



* The rcsidutK!!^ of Danictl llogcrH, tlid two Crawford iiiaiisions, luid tliiil of Jiiijics S. 
Brown, WLTt! orected aliout unci jjiior tu 1834. 



204 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 

city are those of the later period, from the fact that they are a per- 
petual tribute to the memory of Andrew J. Downing, who, born amid 
the scenes which have been so briefly sketched, grafted his pure and 
artistic perceptions not only upon the community in which he lived, 
but upon the nation. 

In the architecture and appointment of its churches, its schools, 
and its public buildings, improvement is everj^ where apparent in the 
city. The years are but few since it could with truth be written: " In 
Newburgh are many very ugly places of worship; and as the city 
rises abruptly from the river, their ungainly proportions are, of 
course, prominent in every direction;" but it can be written with 
truth no longer, for since it was penned (1857), not less than $250,000 
have been expended by different denominations in the building and in 
the improvement of church edifices. Perhaps in no class of buildings 
is the change more marked, unless it be in those which ha^^e been 
erected for free schools. 

Not the least in the evidences of progress are the dispositions 
which have from time to time been made of the Glebe. Covering 
nearly one-half of the territory of the city, it has necessarily entered 
into much of its history. Each half-century has brought its changes. 
Under the act of April 10, 1855, by which persons holding its lands 
by lease were enabled to obtain titles in fee simple, by the payment 
of such sums of money as would yield an annual interest equal to 
the annual rent, a very considerable portion of the tract has been 
converted into fee simple titles. The annual income, which, until 
1869, was expended yearly in the support of schools, has, since that 
time, been funded to establish an income upon which to found a 
School of Design, an object which, when accomplished, will indeed be 
a monument to the ancient bequest, from which will flow, if not the 
temples and the mighty works of ancient Rome, generations of 
mechanics converted by its instrumentality into thinkers as well as 
practical workers. 




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LOCALITIES. 205 



CHAPTER X. 

LOCALITIES — CENSUS RETURNS SUPPORT OF POOR — TURNPIKES AND PLANK- 
ROADS RAILROAD ENTERPRISES BANKING INSTITUTIONS • 

INTRODUCTIOJM OF WATER STOCK COMPANIES, ETC. 



LOCALITIES. 

THE town of Newburg'h is in the extreme nortli-eastcrii })art of 
the county. It has a river front of seven miles, and extends 
westward from eiglit to eleven miles. It is about sixty miles in a 
northerly direction from New York, eighty-three miles south of 
Albari}', fifty miles east of the Delaware river, one hundred and 
twenty miles from the head of Cayuga lak(>, and two hundred and 
fifty miles from lake Erie in a straight line. It contains 26,870 acres 
of land, and had, in 1875, a population of 8,543. The surface of the 
town is stony, and is broken into high hills which run north-east and 
south-west. The soil is composed of deposits of clay, sand and hjam, 
and, along the river, is warm, productive and well cultivated. In the 
western part of the town the soil is not so deep and warm, and re- 
quires more laborious culture. The rock formations are principally 
slate and lime. 

The city of Newburgh lies in the south-east part of the original 
town of Newburgh. It contains 1,570 acres of land, and has a popu- 
lation of 17,433. It has a river front of about two miles. Its harbot 
is the best on the Hudson, extending (including the frontage of the 
town) a distance of about eight miles, with a width from one mile to 
one mile and a quarter, and a depth of from five to seven fathoms, 
and is protected from storms by ranges of mountains which, extend- 
ing from the river in a northerly and westerly direction, describe 
nearly a semi-circle. 

The city and the town are alike remarkable for their healthfulness 
of climate, and for the variety and beauty of their natural scenery. 
As has been already stated, the city was originally settled by German 
Palatinates; the town by English emigrants from the eastern prov- 
inces and from the county of Westchester. The character of the 
population of the former was gradually changed, and that of the 
latter became divided into English, Scotch, and Irish nationalities. 
The site of the city was first called by the Algonquin title Quasmicl, 



206 HISTORY OF NEWBURGK 



from the root terms qussiik sig'iiifying- stone or rock, and irk — literally, 
stony land. The present name was first applied by Alexander Golden 
in 1743, and is from Newburgh, a town in Scotland, on the river Tay, 
which it resembles in many of its physical features.* 

Balmville. — A small collection of hcnises two miles north of the 
city of Newburgh, and named from a large tree grt)wing there com- 
monly called Balm of Gilead, which is remarkable for the strong bal- 
samic scent of its leaves and buds.f The place was part of the 
original German patent; was formerly called Hampton, and was one 
of the commercial centers of the town as early as 1767. | In later 
times, the freig'hting business was conducted here by Daniel Smith, 
and subsequently by the Messrs. Butterworth. The village has a 
district school, a burying ground, and one en* two shops. In the 
vicinity are several fine country seats. § 

MiDDLEHOPE. — A small hamlet four miles north of the city of New- 
burgh, and formerly called Middletown because half-way between 
Newburgh and Marlborough. It has a post-office and a store; a Meth- 
odist and a Presbyterian church; a district school, and a cemetery 
under the title of " Highland Cemetery," owned by an association 
organized under the general statute of the state. After the estab- 
lishment of a post-office here, considerable difficulty arose out of the 
fact that there was another of the same name in the county; and, 
at the suggestion of the Postmaster General, a meeting of the resi- 
dents in the neighborhood was held for the purpose of changing the 
title. At this meeting, several names were proposed and rejected, 
until finally the late Mr. James P. Brown, recollecting that theie was 
a village in Scotland, the land of his birth, by the name of Hopeton, 
proposed that of Middlehope, which was adopted. 

The Dans Kamer. — "De Dnyfel's Dans Kamer !" Cthe Devil's Dance 
Chamber), so the point of land forming the north-western head of 
Newburgh bay was described by some Dutch skipper more than two 
centuries ago. It has ever since borne the title of The Dans Kamer. 
The first notice of it occurs in the journal of DeVries, under date of 
April 26th, 1640; and as DeLaet, in his very minute description of 
the river, written in 1624, makes no mention of it, the name must 
have originated between 1624 and 1640. An explanation of the 
origin of the name is found in certain religious rites of the Indians, 
which were often performed here. These rites consisted in the wor- 



* See ante p. 105, 110, 126, 127. Also, Harper's Gazetteer. The first application of the 
present name was by Alexander CoUlen to that portion of the patent owned by him, and 
which was long known as the " Old Town of Newburgh Plot." It was next 'applied to 
the parish (1752), then to the precinct (1763), then to the town (1788), to the village at 
its incorporation (1800), and retained in the title of the city. 

t Ante p. 182. Also, Eager's Orange County, p. 199. i Ante p. 181. § Ante p. 203. 



LOCALITIES. 



207 



ship of thoir God Baehtamo, and was denoininated "devil worship," 
by the Dutch. For the celebration of this worshij), tlic Indi.-ilis held 
meetings pric^i- to starting on expeditions of hunting, tishing, or war, 
to ascertain whether they would V)e successful or not. "At these 

meetings," says a paper de- 
scribing the natives of New 
Netherland, written in 1611, 
"conjurors act a wonderful 
part. These tuiiiltle, with 
strange contortions, head 
over lieels; lie;it themselves, 
leiip with a ii i d eo u s noise 
thidugii and around a large 
lire. Finally they all raise 
a tremendous caterwauling, 
when the (h'vil appears (they 
say) in the shii]ieof a raven- 
ous or a harndess animal — 
the first betokens something 
had, Ihe second sometinng 
good." Lieut. (Jouwenhoven 
witnessed an exhihition of 
this ch;iracter at the Dans 
INDIAN DEVIL-WORSHIP. Kumer, (lurlng the war with 

the Esopus Indians, in 1663.* The spot was dedicated to this rude 
worship, and was so occupied for perhaps a hundred j'ears after the 
discovery of the Hudson. In point of fact, there were two dance 
cliambers — tiie first being the rocky point which Juts out into the 
river, called in tlie original deed, "the little dans kamer;" and the 
second, the plateau occupied by the Armstrong residence, which is 
specified in the same instrument as "the large dans kamer." The 
little dans kamer has a level surface of perhaps half an acre, and is 
separated from the main land by a marsh over which the water flows 
at times, while the large dans kamer embraces a plot of ten acres. 

Hampton. — This name was given by William Acker, son of Wolvert 
Acker, to the farm of his father, now the residence of Mr. Alexander 
Young, and is said U) mean, " a house or farm on a hill." It is in the 
extreme north-eastern part of the town, and has a landing on the 
Hudson, from which Wolvert Acker established a ferry (known as ' 
Acker's Ferry) soon after the Revolution. 

FosTERTOWN — Is a liamlct about four miles north-west from the citv. 




* Documentary History of New York. The dances were discontinued under an order 
of the English government. 



208 ll^I^ TOR Y OF NEWB URGIL 




THE EOSS HOUSE. 



The patent on which it is hicated was first settled in 1768, by John 
Foster, William Foster, Richard Ward and John (irig'gs.* The lands 
of John Foster were sold by him to James Innis, the father of William 
Innis; and the place owned by William Foster is now or lately occu- 
pied by David Wyatt. The descendants of Richard Ward and John 
Griggs continue to hold the lands of their fathers. The Fostertown M. 
E. Church is in this neighborhood. There is also a district school. 

RossviLLE. — This is the name of a section of the town about six 
miles north-west of the city of Newburgh, and was originally covered 
by the Wallace patent. As previously stated, this patent was pur- 
chased by Joseph Penny, who sold about two hundred acres to Robert 
Ross, and divided the remainder among his sons. Mr. Ross is said 

to have been the first to settle on the patent, 
where he established a tannery. As early, proba- 
bly, as 1770, he built a substantial stone house, 
which is still standing and forms a part of the 
residence of John L. Aderton, who lutw owns the 
place. The sons of Robert Ross— Alexander and 
William — subsequently attained distinction in the town, and their 
birthplace was called Rossville. There is a M. E. Church here, a 
district school, and a post-office and store. The post-office address is 
Savill, a name of no local significance; it was bestowed by the late 
Chauncey F. Belknap in honor of his son, Savill. "f 

LuPTONDALE — Is a district and not a hamlet. It lies in the north- 
west part of the town, about seven miles from the city, and is not 
unfrequently called " Quaker street." Mr. Birdsall, who bestowed the 
name, states: " They called the road west of the lake Rocky Forest, 
tlie name given to it by Mr. Kipp, and I gave this road the name of 
Luptondale in honor of William Lupton, who owned this part of the 
old patent.'" 

Rocky Forest. — This district embraces the western part of the pat- 
ent to Jacobus Kipp and Company. Orange lake adjoins it on the 
east, and from its elevation the views from many of its dwellings are 
unsurpassed in extent and variety. The name was conferred from 
the physical features of a portion of the district, which was origin- 
ally and emphatically a rocky forest. Henry W. Kipp, son of Jaco- 



* Ante p. 132. 

t The name and the post-oflflce had their origin in Mr. Belknap's office. The circum- 
stances were these: An old gentleman from Rossville called at Mr. Belknap's office, and in 
conversation on neighborhood matters, Mr. B. jokingly asked him why they did not have a 
post-office there ? The gentleman replied he' did not suppose one" could be obtained. 
"Nothing easier," said Mr. B., and turning to his desk he drew up a petition, which was 
signed by himself and Mr. Thomas George and forwarded to Washington, expecting that 
that would be the last of it. The Department, however, regarded the appHcation as 
having been made in good faith, and estabUshed the office and appointed a postmaster. 



LOCALITIES. 



209 




bus, was the first settler here,* and continued his residence as late as 
1778, when he was enrolled as an exempt for military tax. 

Gardnertown — Is a small settlement four miles north-west of the 
city of Newburg'h, so c;illed from Silas Gardner, one of the first 
settlers. There is a neat M. E. Church here, also a store or tavern, 

a district school, and one or two shops. A short 
distance south of the church, stands tlie old resi- 
dence of the original proprietor — a massive stone 
-structure of a style of architecture quite preva- 
lent a century or so ago. In the same vicinity 
THE GAKDNER HOUSE, is thc mill owiicd for uiany years by David Bond, 
but originally established by Gardner. 

GiDNEYTOwN. — The settlement known as Gidneytown originally em- 
braced the patent to John Spratt, which was purchased about the year 
1760 by Eleazer Gidney, whose four sons, Joseph, Daniel, David, and 
Eleazer, about that time settled upon it. A part of the original pur- 
chase remains in the possession of the fannly, 

DuBois' Mills. — The water power of the Quassaick creek was first 
applied to practical use at the place long known as DuBois' Mills, 
about one mile and a half west of its confluence witli the Hudson. 
Alexander Golden erected a mill here as early, probably, as 1743. — 
This mill was one of the oldest, if not the first built, in this region. 

Golden sold it, and parts 
of lots No. 1 and No. 2 of 
the German patent, to 
Jonathan Hasbrouck by 
deed dated May 3, 1753. f 
It remained in the posses- 
sion of the Hasbrijucks 
until after the Revolution, 
and during the war was 
frequently occupied by the 
militia when called out on 
alarms. The Hasbroucks 
DUBOIS' MILLS. soM It to a Mr. Van Keu- 

ren. From him it was bought by a Mr. Dickonson, who occupied 
it in 1798. Subsequently it became the property of Genl. Nathaniel 
DuBois, who erected in connection with it a saw mill and a fulling 
mill. It remained in his hands upwards of forty years. After his 




* Ante p. 131. 

t The price paid by Hasbrouck was $1050 for 100 acres, " together with the grist mill 
and the appurtenances thereof, the mill house, the mill dam and dams, also the bolting 
chests or boxes, bolts, bolting cloths, wheat screens, and all other implements and uten- 
sils."— Z7/ster Becord of Deeds, K E., 501. 

014 



210 HISTORY OF NEWBUROH. 



doatli it was purchased by a Mr. Woygant, who sold it to James R. 
Dickson. Mr. 1). removed it (Oct. 1859), enhirg'ed the water power 
by a substantial stone dam, thus I'orniiiig a lake covering- s(»ni(> twenty- 
nine acres, and erected a larg:e brick flouring- mill witli six run of 
stone. Messrs. Enoch Carter and Wm. B. Sanxay purchased from Mr. 
Dickson, and conveyed the property (1871) to the Messrs. Chad wick, 
who converted it into a bleachery of cotton cloths, and erected ad- 
ditional buildint'-s. 

New Mills. — The second enterprise of this sort, in the vicinity of 
DuBois' Mills, was Abel Belknap's (subsequently Daniel Niven's) g-rist 
mill, about a mile and a quarter west of the city, south of the Co- 
checton turnpike — now reconstructed and occupied as a woolen mill. 
It was erected by Mr. Belknap some years prior to the Revolution, 
and was continued by Mr. Niven until his death in 1820. The third, 
was undertaken by Chancy, Joseph, Thomas, and Daniel Belknap, 
under the firm of C. Belknaj) & Co., who erected, in 1802, a large 
flouring mill, and constructed a canal — the first, probably, in the state 
— to sui)ply the water power. This mill soon came to be called 
the " New Mills," and the name was extended to the hamlet which 
grew up around it. At the time of its erection it was one of the 
largest mills in the country; and, for several years, its proprietors 
were the only Newburgh firm represented o\\ 'change in New York. 
It is said that when it was built there was but one dwelling — a log 
house — between it and the then village, and a considerable portion of 
what is now Western Avenue was still covered with heavy timber. 
It was purchased from the Belknaps by the late James Halstead, from 
whom it passed to William H. Beede. It was destroyed by fire (Oct. 
6, 184G,) and a new mill was erected on its site, by Mr. Beede, in 1847. 
Mr. Jivmes Ross is its present owner. The district is now known as 

West Newburgh. — A tine school building, erected by the Board of 
Education of the city, is located here; the Third (or Grace) M. E. 
Church; a fire engine and house; the lime kilns of Messrs. W. R. & C. 
L. Brown; several stores and manufacturing establishments, the latter 
including two tanneries; ajul also a considerable number of improved 
dwellings. Tlu> Highland Hat Works are a short distance west. 

Powder Mills. — About four miles north-west of the city, in the town 
of Newburgh, are the Powder Works of Lafflin & Rand. The mill 
privilege here was originally occupied by Foster's saw mill. It was 
purchased by Asa Taylor in 1816, who erected mills for the manufac- 
ture of powder. Mr. Daniel Rogers purchased the property in 1817, 
improved the mills and converted them into over thirty substantial 
stone structures. He continued the manufacture of gun-powder until 



LOCALITIES. 211 



1838. Mr. Hog'ers' sons subsequently conducted the works for a few 
years. The present owners enhirg-ed the works, wliich are now, as 
they were under Mr. Rogers, among the most complete and extensive 
in the country. 

Belknap's Ridge — Is about four miles west of the city. Its name 
is in honor of the Belknap family, who purchased and settl(;d here in 
1749-'50. * 

CoLDENHAM — A name originally given by Governor Colden to his 
s(!ttlement in the town of Montgomery, and still retained there; but 
subsequently extended to the hamlet in the south-west part of the 
town of Newburgh, about six miles from the city. The Coldenham 
post-office is located here; there is also a hotel and (me or two shops. 

Orange Lake. — This body of water lies in the north-western part of 
the town, and covers about f(jur hundred acres. Its aboriginal name 
was Qusfiu/c, or stony pond, from the large number of boulders on its 
western shore. The present name was conferred by the Rev. Dr. 
James 'Wilson, who resided in its vicinity. It is fed by internal 
springs, and by small streams which flow into it. Its outlet is the 
Quassaick creek.f The principal fact of historical interest in con- 
nection with it is the erection of a coinage mill, near its outlet, by 
Capt. Thomas Machin, about the year 1787-'88. Capt. Machin began 
to build a grist and saw mill here in 1784, and gave the name of New 
Grange to the place. In 1787, he formed a co-partnership with several 
residents of the city of New York, for the purpose of coining money. 
The firm was soon after incorporated with a similar company char- 
tered by the state of Vermcmt, | and continued business for a few 
years. The mill and the manner in which coins were manufaqtured, 



* Ante p. 130. t Ante p. 62. 

:}: On the 18th of April, 1787, Captain Machin formed a co-partnership with Samuel 
Atlee, James F. Atlee, David Brooks, James Grier, and James Giles, all of New York. 
The t/Crra specified for its continuance was seven years, with a capital of £.300. The firm 
seems to have been formed for the avowed purpose of coininfc copper, provided congress, 
or any of the state legislatures, enacted a law allowing individuals to coin money. As the 
object was to make money, a small capital was considered sufficient for the undertaking. 
On the 7th of June following, that firm formed a co-partnership with one then existing, 
which consisted of four partners — Eeuben Harman, Esq., Wilham Coley, of Bennington 
county, Vermont, Elias Jackson, of Litchfield county, Connecticut, and Daniel Van Voor- 
his, goldsmith, of the city of New York, — for a term of eight years from the first of the 
following July, that being the Umitatiou of an act of the legislature of Vermont to said 
Harman, for the coinage of copper. 

At Machin's mills perhaps a thousand pounds of copper was manufactured, as appears 
by his papers, in the year 1789; previous to which time little seems to have been done. 
The business appears to have been discontinued in 1790, for in a letter from J. F. Atlee to 
Mr. Machin, dated Vergennes, October 14, 1790, be expresses a wish that the concern 
might arrive at a settlement on equitable terms, and compromise their matters without a 
tedious and expensive law suit." — Sirnnis' History of Schoharie County, 596. 

Capt. Machin died at Charleston, Schoharie County, April 3d, 1816, aged 72 years. 
During the Revolution, he superintended the construction of the chain and other obstruc- 
tions to the navigation of Hudson's river, and rendered other important service. He 
settled in Newburgh at the close of the war, and subsequently removed to Schoharie 
county. "In the camp and in retirement, his qualifications were holden in very high con- 
sideration." 



212 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



were described by Tliomas Machiii, a son of the proprietor, to Doct. 

F. B. Hong-h, of Albany, wlu) furnished the following particulars: 

" The coinage mill was from forty to fifty rods below the pond, on a canal dug for the 
purpose. The building was of wood, thirty by forty feet, and two stories high. The 
metal used was copper, obtained by melting up cannon and leaving out the zinc in the 
alloy. The copper was then run into moulds, and rolled into flat sheets of the thickness of 
the coin and from one to two feet wide. It was then punched with a screw, moved by a 
lever, so adjusted that half a revolution would press out a disk of the size of the coin. 
The blanks were then put into a cyUnder and revolved with sand, saw-dust and water. 
They were generally left revolving through the night; and the coiners circiilated the story 
that the devil came by night to work for them. They also sometimes worked in masks to 
create a terror in the neighborhood. One night in the cyUnder would wear the edges of 
the blanks smooth. The coining jjress was a screw, with an iron bar about ten feet long 
through the top. On each end of this bar was a leaden weight of perhaps five hundred 
pounds. The threads of the screw were large and square and worked through an iron 
frame. Eopes were attached to each end of the bar, and it was swung about half way 
around by two men pulling upon the ropes; two other men puUed the lever back, and a 
fifth laid on the blank and took otf the^ coin with his fingers. The last operative named 
sat in a pit so that the lever would not touch his head. The coinage was about sixty per 
minute. A little silver was coined, but niosth* copper, and the work was continued four 
or five years. Atlee, the engraver wore a horrid mask, and frightened some boys who 
came to fish so that they never ventured near the mill again. The machinery was removed 
to New York, and the building was afterwards used as a grist mill. Machin abandoned 
the enterprise probably about 1790," on the adoption of the Federal constitution. 

The coins of this mill are to be found in specimens of Vermont 
currency of 1787, etc., and are probably those known as " Vermon 
Atictori." No coins of other states were issued, as operations were 
conducted solely under the Vermont charter. 

QuASSAicK Creek. — This stream is composed of the outlet of Orange 
lake and of the Fostertown and Tent Stone Meadow creeks. Though 
sometimes called Chambers' creek, from the fact of its having been 
the north bounds in part of the patent to Chambers and Sutherland, 
its Indian name now prevails. Its water power is very durable and 
has been largely employed from an early period. The question of the 
right of the creek to be reg-arded as tlie natural outlet of the lake, was 
made a subject of legal controversy in 1825, it being assumed by the 
contestants that that outlet was a small stream further west; but this 
assumption was not sustained by the court. 

Fostertown Creek. — This stream rises in Ulster county, flows 
through Fostertown and Gidneytown and empties into the Quassaick 
creek. At Gidneytown it takes the name of Gidneytown creek. 

Tent Stone Meadow Creek. — This creek rises in a large swamp in 
Ulster county, known many years ago as the Tent Stone Meadow^ It 
flows through Rossville and empties into the Quassaick at the Powder 
mills. The name of the creek is given as recorded on a map of the 
town made by W. W. Sackett, in 1798, now on record in the office of 
the secretary of state, Albany. 



LOCALITIES. 213 



Bushfield's Creek. — This creek has its source in a swamp in the 
town of Plattekill, known as the Stone Dam Meadow from the fact 
that across the south end of the swamp is a stone dam about one hun- 
dred and fifty yards hjiig, three feet high, regularly built and now in 
good preservation. Neither the period at which it was erected, nor 
by whom it was built, are known.* The creek issues through a sluice 
way in this dam and empties into Orange Lake. Its original name 
was Beaver Dam creek — the present name was given in honor of 
James Bushfield. 

Denton's Creek. — A small stream having its source west of Middle- 
hope and flowing south and east to the Hudson south of Balmville. 
It formerly furnished power for a lathe near the public highway, and 
also for the grist mill of Nehemiah Denton (from whom its name was 
given), near its confluence with the Hudson. 

PowELLTON Brook — Is the outlet of Powellton spring. It flows to 
the Hudson a short distance north of North street. 

Acker's Creek. — A small stream which runs through the northern 
part of the town for a short distance and joins the Hudson in the town 
of Marlborough. It was formerly called Jew's creek from a Mr. 
Gomoz, a Jew, who held a portion of the Harrison patent. The pres- 
ent name is a memorial of Wolvert Acker who had a grist mill and 
a saw mill upon it. 

Trout Brook.- — ^This brook flows north through Middlehope and 
empties into x\cker's creek. 

Poll Rose's Pond. — A sheet of water on Western Avenue near the 
New Mills; more recently called Taggert's pond. The outlet at the 
south end formerly furnished power for a turning lathe. The original 
name was from a wt)man who lived many years at the head of the 
pond on the avenue. 

Springs. — Powellton spring is on the Powell est.ate north of North 
street. Ledyard's spring is on the Ledyard farm west of New Mills. 
Cold spring is south of Washington street near the public school. 
The latter was for some years the principal source of suppl}' of water 
for the village; and the former were examined in connection with the 
increase of the supply in 1852. 

Fitzpatrick's Pond — Known to some extent as Carpenter's pond — is 
west of Powell Avenue and north of Gidney Avenue. It originally 
covered about half an acre. 

King's Hill. — An eminence in the north-west part of the town, over 
the crown of which passes the boundary line between the towns of 

* The early settlers attributed the erection of this dam to the beavers. The work is 
certainly not beyond the skill of those ingenious animals. 



2l4 BISTORT OF NEWBURGH. 

Newbuvgh and Montgomery. The name is derived from a Mr. King, 
an old settler, whose descendants still reside in the town. 

Racoon Hill — Is north of Kiii<:;'s Hill, and is so called from its 
having been infested with racoons. 

Cronomer's Hill — Is about three miles north-west of the city, and 
is so called from having been the residence of an Indian named 
Cronomer, prior to the Revolution. One of the lots on the farm late 
of J. Cornish is still known as " the hut lot," where Cronomer had his 
cabin. Tradition affirms that Cronomer once pointed out a deposit of 
lead ore on this hill, and that, during the Revolution, it was examined 
with a view to opening it. ^^he tradition is in part sustained by the 
fact that Col. Thomas Palmer had what was claimed as a lead mine in 
Newburgh, which was examined as stated; but where it was located 
does not appear.* 

Lime Stone Hill. — A ridge of lime stone, about two miles north- 
west of the city of Newburgh. 

MucHATTOES HiLL — Extcuds from the southern part of the town into 
New Windsor. The Newburgh Alms-house is situated on the north- 
eastern spur, and along its eastern base are several tinely cultivated 
farms and vineyards. The north-east front of the hill is almost per- 
pendicular, while the west side is smooth and of gentle declivity. It 
was known for many years as Snake Hill, from the fact of its being 
infested with snakes at the early settlement of the town. 

The Vale. — Originally a beautiful valley extending up the Quas- 
saick creek for half a mile from its mouth. A few years ago it was 
a favorite resort, and frequently visited by strangers, f but is now 
mainly occupied by the Branch railroad and the Pennsylvania Coal 
Company. Tliere is a tradition that, in the house once occupied by 
Mr. Richard Trimble, and more recently by Mr. Hale, Mr. Roe, and 
others, but which was known in the days of the Revolution as Ettrick 
Grove, an attempt was made to betray Washington, whose head- 
quartei's were then at the Ellison house, New Windsor. Ettrick 
Grove was then occupied by Col. Ettrick, a zealous tory. The story 

* " Ordered, That John McDonald be furnished with five dollars to enable him to pro- 
ceed to Thomas Palmer's at Newburgh, to examine the lead mines claimed by the said 
Palmer or belonging to him."— ./o«?-. Corn, of Safety. 

t The following in reference to a visit of the National Grays, of New York, is from the 
Telegraph of July 25, 1839: 

"One of their numerous marches in the neighborhood of our village, was to Ettrick 
Grove, the beautiful seat of Mr. Hale, a mile below the village, taking in their way 
"Washington's Head-quarters," to which the company wished to pay a last visit before 
their departure. The entire march was over consecrated ground— Washington himself 
had known and traversed every foot of it— in the neighborhood was the ground where the 
army was stationed, and in the ravine below, was the revolutionary cannon foundry, 
traces of which are still visible. These were all pointed out, as also the remaining por- 
tion of the house (now Mr. Hale's kitchen) to which Washington was invited to an enter- 
tainment, in order to his betrayal by a band of conspirators against his life and his 
country's hopes." 




"•*T5 



WASHINGTON'S HEAD-QUARTERS— From the East. 



'7-9G 




m 



A— Sitting Room. 
B — Family Room. 

(oldest part of btillding.) 
C— Kitchen. 
D— Hall. 



E — ^A/^ashington's Parlor. 

F — \A/^ashingion's Private Room. 

{commuuipating with) 
G — \A'^ashington's Bed-roonn. 
H — Store-room. 



LOCALITIES. 215 



goes, that Washington had accepted an invitation to dine with Col. 
Ettrick, who had, meanwhile, made arrangements with a company of 
tories to take him prisoner. Washington, warned of the design, 
ordered a detachment of the life-guard, dressed in the English uni- 
form, to be on the ground before the arrival of the tories. When this 
detachment, made its appearance, Washington's host, supposing them 
to be his tory friends, stepped up to him and accosted him as his pris- 
oner. Washington looked at his troops for a moment and replied, 
"I believe not, sir, but you are mine." The treacherous host was 
spared his life, through the intercession of his daughter, who had 
betrayed her father's intention, and he was permitted to remove to 
Nova Scotia. The story has some elements of probability. 

Washington's Head-quarters. — The building now so generally known 
as " Washingt(^n's Head-quarters at Newburgh," is situated on Liberty 
street in the south part of the city. It is constructed of rough stone; 
is one story high, fifty-six feet front by forty-six feet in depth, and is 
located on what was originally Lot No. 2, of the German patent. 
The title to the lot was vested, by the patent referred to, in Herman 
Schoneman, a native of the Palatinate of Germany, who sold, in 1721, 
to James Alexander, wh(j subsequently sold to Alexander Colden and 
Burger Meynders, by whom the property was conveyed by Jonathan 
Hasbrouck. The south-east corner of the building, more particularly 
shown by the walls and the timbers of the roof remaining in the attic, 
is the oldest portion, but by whom erected is not positively known. 
The north-east corner was erected by Hasbrouck in 1750, and the 
west half was added by him in 1770, and one roof thrown over the 
whole. The dates of the additions aa-e cut upon stones in the walls. 
The building was made the head-quarters of Washingt(m in the spring 
of 1782, and remained in his occupation until August 18th, 1783. The 
general incidents occurring during that period have ah'eady been nar- 
rated. As is shown by the account which he rendered to the govern- 
ment, Washington maintained here his own. household.* While in 
his occupation the large room, which is entered from the piazza on the 
east, known " as the room with seven doors and one window," was 
the dining and sitting room; the north-east room was Washington's 
bedr(xjm, and the room immediately adjoining on the left, his private 
oflBce.f The family room was that in the south-east; the kitchen was 
the south-west room; the parlor the north-west room, and between the 
latter and the former was the store-room, | hall and stair-case. The 



* No part of the building was occupied by the Hasbroucks, as has generally been sup- 
posed, during Washington's residence. 

t Tradition has assigned this room to Hamilton; but it is now conclusively known that 
that officer was not a member of Washington's staff at the time, nor even a visitant. 

t So called from having been used by Col. Hasbrouck as a store. 



216 HISTORY OF NEWBUROH. 

property remained in the Hasbrnnck family until 1849, when the title 
became vested in the people of the state under the foreclosure of a 
mortgage given to the commissioners to loan certain moneys of the 
United States. By act of the legislature, passed April 10, 1850, it 
was placed in the care of the board of trustees of the village of 
Newburgh, to be preserved as nearly as possible as it was at the time 
of its occupation by Washington. The building was at once restored, 
by a committee appointed by the board of trustees, and the place 
formally dedicated on the 4th of July, 1850. The care of the prop- 
erty passed to the city authorities, by the city charter, where it 
remained until 1874, when the legislature appointed, by act of May 11, 
a board of trustees to hold and maintain it. A large, and in some 
departments valuable, collection of manuscripts and relics are now 
deposited in the building, for which, as well as for the initiatory steps 
by which the state authorities were induced to purchase the property, 
the public are mainly indebted to the late Enoch Carter, although 
man}^ articles of value have been added by other parties, and espe- 
cially by the state and the federal authorities.* The trees now grow- 
ing were planted by residents of Newburgh and vicinity. 

Public Stocks. — By colonial law, minor offenses were punished by 
confinement in the public stocks, or by public whipping, and each 

town and precinct had its whip- 
ping-post and stocks. Those 
erected in Newburgh were in 
Water street, opposite the High- 
land Bank, and were standing 
after the commencement ol the 
present century. A map of (lie 
property of Thomas Colden, made 
".^*&,s*^«s^'^**^S!s*««**^"' i" n91, shows the location of tlie 

PUBLIC STOCKS. stocks, aud an outline represen- 

tation, from which, as well as from a description by the late Mr. Benj. 
Carpenter, the accompanying engraving was drawn. The stocks con- 
sisted of a frame resembling a heavy square box, on the edge of wliich 
were seats. The bar for confining the feet of prisoners was about four- 
teen feet in length and was secured by heavy padlocks. Near the 
center of the frame stood the whipping-post, which was some ten feet 
high with arms placed in an angular position. The stocks were pro- 
bably removed in 1810 or '12. 

Newburgh Market. — The act incorporating the village gave the 
board of trustees power to establish a market and lease the stands, 

* The stat(( contributed trophy and other guns from the old Arsenal. Thirty trophy 
guns were added by order of Hon. W. W. Belknap in 1873. 




LOCALITIES. 



217 




NEWBURGH MABKET. 



and a building- for that purpose was erected at the foot of Third, now 
the west line of Front street. The first leasing- of stands occurred in 
1811, when Jas. Lyon, Ed. Griswold, Chas. Birdsall, and David Tice, 
were licensed as butchers — Birdsall and Griswold occupying- two 

stands each. VVni. Mathew- 
son also occupied one for 
several years. The build- 
ing- was of wood, one story 
hig-h and open as represent- 
ed in the engraving-. Third 
street divided and ran on 
tiie north and south sides 
of the market to the I'erry 
and public landing-. During- 
the winters, when the stands were not occupied, the lads had merry 
times in riding down " McAuley's hill," as Third street was called, 
and shooting through the market. The building- was removed in 1822 
or '23, and about the same time a new market of improved architect- 
ure was erected by John Neely, on the north side of Third street, east 
of Water. The amended charter of 1836 relieved the trustees from 
the duty of providing a mai-ket building, and that then in use was 
removed or converted to other use. 

Hay-scai,es. — The Hay-scales were a landmai-k on Western Avenue 
for over a quarter of a century. They 
were erected in 1806, and by the sub- 
sequent opening- of (jrand street were 
lei't slandinii- on ii small triangle at the 
junction of tliat street ainl the avenue, 
where they remained in use until the 
8th of January, 1838, when they wei-e 
prostrated during a remarkably heavy 
gale of wind.* The scales were of pecu- 
liar construction, and were composed of 
a beam from which chains wei-e sus- 
pended for raising the teams which A. _^ 
were to be weighed. The north end v\\* 
was enclosed for a weighing room, and ' hay-scales. 

the roof was extended south to cover the beam. It will be inferred, 
of course, that the structure was the approved pattern of the times; 
platform scales were then unknown. The accompanying engraving 
is from description by Mr. John H. Corwin. 




* This gale was the most severe of any on record. It occurred in the afternoon. 



218 



HISTORY OF NEWBUROH. 



CENSUS RETURNS. 

Altlious^li eiiumeriitioTKs of the inhabitants of the several precincts 
of New York were made at an early period, the returns are very 
imperfect. The early tax rolls give more complete statistics, and in 
those relating to the precinct of the Highlands is the following: 

"The Freeholders, Inhabitants, Residents and Sojourners of the County of Ulster, theire 
real and personal estates are Rated to be assessed by the Assessors (on theire Oath) 
chosen for the same on the 20th day of January 1714-5, and are to pay after the rate of 
one penny half per £ to discharge this years payment of said County's Quota* Layd by 
an Act of the P. Assembly, Entitled an Act for Levying the sume of Ten Thousand 
pounds, viz : 

Preciiict of Highlands. 

Rated. 
Wm. Elsworth's widow, £5 



ted. 


Tax. 


£30 


£ 3s 9d 


5 


n 


45 


5 7| 


15 


1 10 


10 


1 3 


15 


1 lOJ 


10 


1 3 


10 


1 3 


12 


1 6 


10 


1 3 


10 


1 3 


25 


3 IJ 



Dennis Relje, 
Alexander Griggs, 
Thomas Harris, 
Capt. Bond, 
Melgert the Joyner, 
Christian Henrick, 
Jacob Decker, Jun, 
Cornehs Decker, 



3 
35 

5 
15 
15 

3 
10 

5 

293 




Peter Magregorie, 
Swerver, 

William Sutherland 
Michael Wynant, 
Burger Myndertsen, 
Jacob Weber, 
Peter LaRoss, 
John Fisher, 
Andres Volck, 
George Lockstead, 
Pieter Jansen, 
Heiu-y Rennau, 

With the exception of Peter MacGregorie and William Sutherland, 

who lield lands in New Windsor, and the Deckers, Griggs, Bond, and 

Harris, the persons named were residents or freeholders in the present 

town and city of Newburgh, and, with the exception of Myndertsen, 

Ellsworth, and Relje, were Palatinate settlers. Similar returns for the 

years HH-'S, 1724-'5, and lt26-'9, exhibit the increase of residents 

and freeholders in the precinct, as follows: 



Peter MacGregory, 
Wm. Sutherland, 
Michael Wynant, 
Jacob Weber, 
John Fischer, 
Andries Volck, 

Wm. Chambers, 
John Lawrence, 
His Ex. William Burnett, 
Widow Elsworth, 
Phineas Mcintosh, 
Thos. Ellis(on), 
George Lockstead, 
Jeurian Quick, 
WiUiam Bond, 
Burger Minders, 
Thomas Brainer, widow, 
WiUiam Ward, 
Geo. Waggont, 
Wm. Sanders, 
Alexander Mackel, 



1717-8 
Henry Rennau, 
Widow Elsworth, 
Denis Relje, 
Wm. Bond, 
Alexander Griggs, 
Melgert de Scm-ynwerker, 

1724-5 
Doct. Colden, 
Geo. Elmes, 
Tobias Waggont, 
Valentyn Breasure, 
John Humphrey, 
David Sutherland, 
John Davids, 
John Wilson, 
Old Denes, 
William Fountain, 
Gomoz the Jew, 
Christopher Febb, 
John Askell, 
John Armtyne, 
Thomas Edwards, 



Col. Mathews, 
Mr. Gomoz, 
Burger Myndertsen, 
A. Graham, 
Mr. Chambers, 
Peter Jansen's estate. 

Z. Hoffman, 
Michael Bolls, 
Henry Wileman, 
Daniel Denes, 
John Slater, 
John Filips, 
Robt. Kirkland, 
John Alsop, 
Peter Long, 
Peter MuUiner, 
Melcher Gillis, 
Henry Hedsel, 
Benj. Elsworth, 
Nathaniel Foster. 



The tax laid on the precincts of the county are given in this return as follows : 



Kingston, 
Fox ball Manor, 
Hurley, 
Marbletown, 
Rochester, 

Totals, 



Valuation. 
£917() 
1322 
4398 
5142 
3523 



Tax. 

£57 7s Od 

8 5 3 

27 9 9 

32 2 9 

22 U 



New Palles, 
Shawangonck, 
Wagackkemeck, 
Highlands, 



Valuation. 

£2075 

848 

105 

293 



26882 



Tax. 
£12 19s 4:^ 
5 6 0" 

13 U 

1 16 7| 

168 3 



CENSUS RETURNS. 



219 



Wm. Chambers, 
Phineas Mcintosh, 
Thomas Ellison, 
James Elsworth, 
Jurie Quick, 
Wm. Bond, 
Gomoz the Jew, 
Burger Meynderse, Jr., 
Moses Elsworth, 
John Haskell, 
John Alsop, Esq., 
William Ward, 
John Vantine, 



1726-9. 
John Davis, 
Melgert Gillis, 
Geo. Speedwell, 
Benj. Elsworth, 
Nathl. Foster, 
Francis Harrison, 
J. Mackneel, Jr., 
James Gamwell, 
Stephen Bedford, 
Thomas Shaw, 
Joseph Gale, 

Henry , 

John Mond, 

Geo. Wagagont (Weigand). 



Burger Meynderse, 
Wm. Saunders, 
Alex. Mackie, 
Cad. Golden, 
John Slaughter, . 

George , 

Tobias Wagagont, 
Robert Strickland, 
John Umphrey, 
Peter Long, 
David Sutherland, 
Peter Muliner, 
Christain Chevis. 



The names of persons enrolled for military duty in 1138, which will 
be g'iven hereafter, represents the residents of the precinct- of the 
Hi<>"hlands at that time; wliile the male population of the precinct of 
Newburg'h, over sixteen years of age, in 1715, is probably correctly 
represented in connection with the pledge of association heretofore 
quoted.* The militia rolls of the precinct (m8-'9), are perhaps the 
best record of male population at that time. An enumeration of the 
inhabitants of the precinct was taken in 1782, pursuant to an act of 
the provincial convention entitled "An Act for taking" the number of 
white inhabitants within this State," passed March 20, of that. year. 
It gave a population to Newburgh of l,48t, divided as follows: Males 
under 16, 429; over 16 and under 60, 2.52; over 60, 37. Females under 
16, 368; over 16, 371. Number of persons making Newburgh their 
place of abcjde "by reason of the invasion of the enemy," 154, viz: 
Males under 16, 36; over 16 and under 60, 26; over 60, 6. Females 
under 16, 42; over 16, 44. f In 1785, the precinct was divided into 
road districts, and a record made of the persons assessed for high- 
way labor. This list embraces three hundred and nineteen names. 
The several census taken since 1782, exhibit the following results: 



Year. 


Popvlation. 


Increase. 


Year. 


Population. 


Increase 


1790 


2,365 


878 


1840 


8,933 


1,150 


1800 


3,258 


893 


1845 


9,001 


68 


1810 


4,627 


1,369 


1850 


11,425 


2,424 


1814 


5,107 


480 


1855 


12,773 


1,348 


1820 


5,812 


705 


1860 


15,196 


2,423 


1825 


6,168 


356 


1865 


17,389 


2,193 


1830 


6,424 


256 


1870 


20,563 


3,174 


1835 


7,783 


1,359 


1875 


20,996 


433 



These returns include the population of the town and of the village 
prior to, and of the town and city since, 1865. An enumeration taken 
in the year 1814, gave the population of the village as 2,323; in 1817, 
2,464; in 1821, 2,877; in 1822, 3,566; in 1855, 9,256. The population 
of the city in 1870 was 17,021; in 1875, 17,433. The population of 
the town in 1870 was 3,542; in 1875, 3,543.| While the increase in 
population has been slow, it has not receded in any decade. 



* Ante p. 136. t Documentary History of New York, iii, 996, 

\ The figures for 1875 in this statement are not oflBcial. 



220 HISTORY OF NEWBUBOH. 



NEWBURGH POOR SYSTEM. 

PiH)vision for niaiiitaiuiiig- the poor was included in the act creating 
the precinct of Newburgh. The first record in rehition to the subject, 
aside from the annual election of overseers of the poor, occurs in 
n(>9, \\iu>n iE30 were raised "for the support of the }>oor ibr the year 
ensuing'." In 1711, the following' rules were adopted at the annual 
precinct meeting", viz: 

"Ki'i.i: FiusT.— Votoil, as au onconrastemont to all siicccediug Poor Masters, tlie more 
faithfully to disi-hargo tlioir dutv in their otliee, by im'veutiiiji all iiimoi'ossarv charp;es aud 
ntH'dless costs on the inhabitants of tho I'rtH'iuot, aud also as a reward for tlieir good ser- 
viees, wo freely vote theiu the suui oi £10 eaeh, to be paid out of the money voted to bo 
raised for the use of the poor or out of such tines us may be raised for the same use. 

"Kn,E TUiKD.— Voted, that no Poor Blaster for the time being shall for any cause 
whatever, relieve or cause to bo relieved, or made chargeable, any person or persons what- 
ever, that may by law be transixirted; or any private person who can be made account- 
able according to law; on pain of perjury, and making themselves liable to pay all such 
charges, and tbrfeit to the use of the pi>or twenty shiUings and charges of prosecution, to 
be recovered before any of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace." 

In 1775, £b^ were raised for the poor; in 1777, £100; in 1778, iE200. 

At the annual meeting- in the laiter vear, it was 

" Voted, That donations be collected in this Precinct to be applied to such poor whose 
husbands or parents were either killed or taken prisoners at Fort Montgomery." 
1780.— " Voted, That £800 be raised for the poor."' 

1800 "Voted, To hire a house for the accommodation of the Poor.'* 

1805 "Voted, That the Overseers of the Poor be authorized to contract with one or 

more persons to take the whole of the poor, and to put out the clukbren as they shall see 
best for the town." 

The increase of [)o})uIation made it necessary to provide larg'er 

accommodations for the poor; and, in 1814, an ;ict of the legislature 

was passed authorizing tlie C(»nstriiction o^ a town poor-house. The 

town voted (^Ai)ril 1,) ;i tax of $1,500 for that purpose; and appointed 

John Mandevill and Benoni II. Howell, overseers of the poor, to act 

with Andrew DeWitt, John D. Lawson, Eleazer Gidney :ind Henry 

Butterworth, commissioners, " to direct the building of the liouse and 

to take the whole management of the same." A site was selected on 

the iitirtliH'ast curin'r of Water and Ni)rth street, and a Itiiilding coni- 

pleled in the C()iir.><(' of the year. The system was ctmdncted with 

success and economy, as the following' figures from the annual report 

will show, viz: 



1827— House expenses: 

Victualing, Clothing, Ac, S297 71 

Wood, 81 87 

Doctor's bill, (ja 10 

Keeper's wages, 50 00 

Temporary reUef, 651 75 



Receipts: 

Tax. *750 00 

On hand, 385 41^ 

Fines, Ac, 17 8l| 



1,153 -23 



1,144 52 

In 1830, the receipts were $2,172.64|, and disbursements |;1,158.58J 
In 1831, receipts, $3,160.69|; disbursements, $1,648.64; expenses of 
alms-house, $872. 72|. 

In 1830, tlje Orange County Poor-house was erected at a cost of 
$12,000; and on tiie 22d April. 1831. the legislature authorized the 
sale of the Newburgh Poor-house and lands, which was soon after 



POOR SYSTEM. ■ 221 



effected, and the proceeds were applied to the payment of the county 
poor tax. Connection with the county system was continued until 
1852, when the rapidly increasing charges for temporary relief aious- 
ed public attention and investigation. The subject was first brought 
before the board of supervisors by Mr. Enoch Carter, supervisor, and 
the abuses of the county system were thoroughly exposed. At the 
instance of Mr. Carter, the board adopted the following resolution, viz: 

Resolved, That in the opinion of this Board of Supervisors, it would be for the mutual 
interest of the citizens of Newburgh and of Orange County, that an application be made 
to the Legislature by the citizens of the town of Newbiirgh for the passage of an Act 
paying to the town of Newburgh her proportionate interest in the present county house, 
and also empowering said town to provide a town house for her own poor, the expenses 
of which shall be borne by the town of Newburgh. 

The inhabitants of Newburgh immediately^ responded to the action 
of the board of supervisors by a public meeting held at Crawford's 
Hall, on the evening of the 11th of December, Mr. George Cornwell, 
chairman, and James W. Fowler, secretary. The subject was dis- 
cussed by Messrs. N. Reeve, J. J. Monell, Wm. C. Hasbrouck, and 
G. C. Monell; and a series of resolutions, offered by J. J. Monell, were 
adopted. A committee of twelve persons, — viz: Messrs. John W. 
Brown, David W. Bate, Wm. C. Hasbrouck, J. J. Monell, John Beve- 
ridge. Homer Ramsdell, Gilbert C. Monell, Lewis W. Young, Charles 
Drake, Enoch Carter, Charles U. Cushman, and Rev. Jno. Forsyth, ^ — 
was appointed to prepare, and report at a subsequent meeting, an act 
to be passed by the legislature to reestablish a town system for sup- 
porting the poor. 

At a meeting held December 30th, Mr. Brown, from the committee 
for that purpose, submitted the draft af a law, accompanied by an 
able report illustrating the necessity of the movement, stating, among 
other facts, that 

"Previous to 1840, the sums expended for temporary relief seldom, if ever, exceeded 
$1600, for the county, and $600 for this town. The Superintendent's Report for 1838 ex- 
hibits this item at $1589.27, for the county, of which $560.90 was for the town of New- 
burgh. The report for 1839 exhibits the same item at $1658.45 for the county, of which 
$585.90 was for the town of Newburgh. This item of expenditure has grown with a 
steady and rapid growth, until we find it set down in the Superintendent's Report tor the 
year 1852, at $12,802.13 for the county, of which $6,451.90 is set down as expended in the 
town of Newburgh. But it is due to the occasion to say, that notwithstanding the figures 
of this report, and the known integrity of its authors, the committee have good authority 
for saying that the expenditure for temporary relief for the last year was little short of 
$14,000 for the county, and $8,000 for the town of Newburgh." 

The act applied for passed the legislature, March 23, 1853. By its 
terms the town of Newburgh was established as a separate and dis- 
tinct poor district, and a corporation created by the name of " the 
Commissioners of the Alms-house of the town of Newburgh." The 
commissioners named in the act, viz: Henry Wyckoff, David W. 
Bate, David H. Barclay, George Gearn, Alfred Post, and Eugene A. 
Brewster, immediately entered upon the discharge of their duties, and 
a farm was purchased and the erection of suitable buildings com- 



222 HISTORY OF NEl]'BUEGH. 



menccd under contract with Mr. John Little, Jr. Tlio buildings was 
completed and opened Dec. lOth, 1853, and was t)ccupied by six per- 
sons from the town of Xewburg-h and forty-nine (exclusive of insane), 
frt)m the County Poor-house, l)eing- the number apportioned to New- 
burgh under the act of separation. By the act incorporating the city 
(1865), the town and the city are united in the system. 

The operation of the system, during the first fifteen years of its 
existence, is stated in tlie 15th annual report of the commissioners, 
from which it appears, that during that period the receipts from all 
sources was $152, 332. 8T, and the expenses, including buildings, etc., 
$149,365.81; average yearly cost by tax, $4,558.77; average yearly 
cost of each pauper, $53.82: — weekly, $1.03; estimated saving, as 
compared with the county system, in fifteen years, $108,378.93. 

TURXPIKES AND PLANK-ROAnS. 

The organizations of the Newburgh and Cochecton, Newburgh and 
New Windsor, Newburgh and Sullivan, Newburgh and Plattekill, and 
the Snake Hill turnpike companies, have already been referred to.* In 
the autumn of 1849, the construction of a plank-road from Newburgh 
to Ellenville was proposed. In January (14tli), 1850, a meeting of 
citizens was held at the United States Hotel, — Homer Ramsdell, presi- 
dent, and Robert Proudfit, Jr., secretary, — and on motion of David 
Crawford, a committee of twenty-five was appointed "to go out to 
Ellenville, in company with eiigineers, and inquire into the practica- 
bility of constructing a plank-road thither, and the best route for the 
same." The committee employed Mr. W. A. Perkins, engineer, to 
make a survey of the route, who, on the 13th March, submitted a 
ri'port at a public meeting. The report presented a survey of three 
routes, southern, northern, and middle, with an estimate of the cost t>f 
eacli; and, on motion, it was resolved, that "measures be taken to 
organize a company for the construction of a plank-road to Ellenville 
with a capital of $100,000." Committees were appointed to ascertain 
the amount of stock that would be subscribed, and the land dama- 
ges claimed, by persons residing on each of the proposed routes. On 

* The Newburgh and Cochecton turnpike company was organized in 1801. (Ante p. 
184). The Newburgh and New Windsor turnpike eompanv was incorporated by Act of 
the legislature passed April 2d, 180(!. Capital 15,000 Cliarles Clinton, Daniel Stringham, 
John McAuley, George Monell, Hugh \\'alsh, Isaac Hasbrouck, Selah Reeve, Joseph 
Monell, Abraham Schultz, Kichard Trimble, Jonas Williams, John D. Nicoll and Samuel 
Lockwood, first directors. The Orange and Ulster Branch txu-npike company was incor- 
porated March 80, 1810. Capital $35,000. Cornelius Bru.\-u, James Kumsey, Abraliam 
Jansen, John D. Lawson, John JIcAulay, Moses Rosekranse, Nicholas Hardenburgh, 
Johannes T. Jansen, directors. The route" was tlirough Rocky Forest and New Hurley to 
Sullivan county by way of Sam's Point. The Newburgh and Tlattekill turnpike eompanv 
was incorporated April 5. 1810. Capital $14,tX)0. ,tacob Powell, Daniel Smith, Johii 
Wells, Jonathan Bailey, Justus Cooley and Henry Butterworth, directors. The Snake 
HiU turnpike company was incorporated IMarch "24, 1815. Capital $14,000. Jonathan 
Hasbrouck, WiUiam Taylor, Hiram Weller, Nathaniel DuBois and Jonathan Hedges, direc- 
tors. With the exception of the Newburgh and Cochecton and Newburgh and New Wind- 
sor, these turnpikes nave been abandoned and opened as coromon highways. 



TURNPIKES AND PLANK-ROADS. 223 



the 24th Marcli, a meeting of subscribers to the stock of the " New- 
burgh and Kllenville Plank-road Company," was held at the United 
States Hotel, — Homer Ramsdell, president, and E. Pitts, secretary, — 
and, on motion, proceeded to the election n{' nine directors, when the 
following named gentlemen were chosen: 

Neirbia-gh^Homcr lianisdcU, E. W. Farringtoii, David Crawford, Thornton M. Niven, 
William Fnllcrton; Ulstermllr—A. R. Taylor; Walden—A. F. Schofleld; Shaioangunk — 
James G. Graham; Uruy nswick— liichurd Jackson. 

At a subsequent meeting of the directors. Homer Ramsdell was 
elected president; E. W. Farrington, vice president; T. M. Niven, sec- 
retary; and David Moore, treasurer. At a meeting of the directors, 
held April 5th, it was n^solved to adopt the southern route; and at a 
meeting on the 11th, it was agreed to put the work under contract as 
soon as $100,000 should be subscribed. 

Immediately after this action, those in I'avor of a northern route 
organized the " Newburgh and Shawangunk Plank-road Company," 
and, at a meeting held on the 18th April, elected Robert A. Forsyth, 
Cornelius C. Smith, John B. Jamison, Odell S. Hathaway, Richard A. 
Southwick, Jacob V. B. Fowler, of Newburgh, and James G. Graham, 
S. M. Bruyn and Jus. N. Mitchell, of Shawangunk, directors; Jacob 
V. B. Fowler was elected president; Robert A. Forsyth, treasurer; 
and R. A. Southwick, secretary. 

Both companies were organized under the general statute; of May 
7, 1847, and the roads were completed in December, 1851.* The 
capital stock of the Ellenville road, paid in, was $79,770. To com- 
plete the work and pay existing indebtedness, the legislature passed 
an act authorizing the issue of $44,000 in preferred stock, and fixing 
the whole capital at $124,000. The capital stock of the Newburgh 
and Shawangunk road, paid in, was $30,000. Both roads were subse- 
quently converted into turnpikes. 

RAILROAD ENTERPRISES. 

The organization of a company for the construction of a railroad 
to connect Newburgh with the coal mines of Pennsylvania, was first 
proposed in 1829, and an act was passed by the legislature, on the 
19th of April, 1830, constituting and appointing David Crawford, 
Christopher Reeve, John P. DeWint, Thomas Powell, Joshua Conger, 
Charles Borland, William Walsh, John Forsyth, and their associates, 
"a body corporate and politic by the name of the Hudson and Dela- 
ware Railroad Company," for the purpose of constructing a single or 
double railroad or way, from any part of the village of Newburgh, 
through the county of Orange to the Delaware river. The capital of 
the company was fixed at $500,000, with power to increase the same 

* The opening of the south plank was celebrated at Ellenville, Dec. 22. A large delega- 
tion from Newburgh was present. 



224 WIS TOR Y OF NEWB UR GH. 

to $1,000,000, if necessary; and David Crawford, Chiarles Borland, 
Peter Cuddeback, Thos. Powell, J. P. DeWint, Jos. Kernochan, Peter 
H. Schenck, and John W. Knfivels were appointed commissioners to 
open subscriptions. 

This act, however, became void — no effort having been made to 
build the road "within three years" after the time of its passage. 
Nothing more was done until the 30th of September, 1835, when a 
meeting of citizens was held at the Orange Hotel (ptirsuant to a call 
signed by David Ruggles, John Forsyth, Nathaniel DuBois, Clias. IT. 
Bellows, Oliver Davis, and David Crawford), of which Gilbert 0. Fow- 
ler was chosen president; Nathaniel DuBois, vice president, and John 
W. Knevels, secretary. The subjects discussed at this meeting were, 
mainly, these two, viz: What course should be pursued in reference 
to an application to the legislature for a subscription on the part of 
the state to the New York and Erie railroad company; and the feasi- 
bility of uniting the Hudson and Delaware road with that of the New 
York and Erie. The meeting 

" Resolved, That we will unite in the application to the legislature for a subscription on 
the part of the state to the stock of the New York and Erie railroad comiDany. That we 
will also join in a i)etitiou to the legislature for the grant of a cliarter upon liberal terms in- 
corporating a c()ni]5aiiy to construct a railway from this village to the Delaware river, and 
that we will bear our proportion according to our several means in subscription to the stock. 

'^Resolved, That a committee of five persons be appointed to communicate with the 
directors of the New York and Erie railroad company, and present to them a proposition 
(as detailed to the meeting) for uniting the efforts of the inhabitants of this vicinity with 
that company in the successful prosecution of the i)roject for constructing a railroad from 
Lake Erie to" the Hudson river." 

On this committee the following persons were placed, viz: John 

W. Knevels, Nathaniel DuBois, Oliver Davis, and G. 0. Fowler. The 

following resolution was also unanimously concurred in, viz: 

" Resolved, That a committee be appointed whose duty it shall be to give the required 
legal notice in the public newspapers of our intention to apply for an act of incorporation 
for the construction of a railway from the village of Newburgh to the Delaware river; to 
prepare and circulate petitions to the legislature in behalf of this application; to draft 
the act of incorooration, and report their proceedings to the meeting at the time to which 
it shall stand adjourned." 

The following persons were appointed upon the last inenti(^ned 
committee, viz: John W. Knevels, Abraham M. Smith, John Forsyth, 
John Thayer, Benjamin H. Mace. 

Now began the struggle to secure the eastern terminus of the Erie 
road at Newburgh; and the interests of the Delaware road, as a dis- 
tinct project, awaited the issue. When it became known that those 
active in the Erie company had decided in favor of the Piermont 
route, the citizens of Newburgh again took up the Delaware project, 
and, on the 21st of April, 1836, the legislature passed an act "to re- 
new and amend" the original charter. By this act, " David Crawford, 
Christopher Reeve, Oliver Davis, John Forsyth, Thos. Powell, Joshua 
Conger, David Ruggles, Benjamin Carpenter, and their associates," 
were constituted a body politic and corporate, by the name of " The 




oc 

\ < 



RAILROAD ENTERPRISES. 225 



Hudson and Delaware Railroad Company," for the purpose of con- 
structing- a road " commencing in the north part of the village of 
Newburg-h, and running from thence along the Hudson river in front 
of said village as far as the trustees of the said village " should deter- 
mine, and thence to the D<>laware river. The ciipital stock of the com- 
pany was fixed at $500,000, and Gilbert 0. Fowler, Charles Borland, 
John Foi'syth, Thomas Powell, Benj. H. Mace, John P. DeWint, Abra- 
ham M. Smith, Jas. G. Clinton, and John W. Knevels, were appointed 
commissioners to open subscriptions. 

On the 15th June, 1836, the first election for directors, under the 
amended act, was held at the Orange Hotel, when Thomas Powell, 
John Forsyth, David Crawi'ord, Benjamin Carpenter, John P. DeWint, 
John Ledyard, Christopher Reeve, Gilbert 0. Fowler, James G. Clinton, 
Nathaniel DuBois, Samuel G. Sneden, David W. Bate, and Oliver Davis, 
were chosen. At a subsequent meeting of the directors, Thomas 
Powell was elected president; David W. Bate, vice president; John 
Ledyard, treasurer; and James G. Clinton, secretary. 

A survey of the route was made soon after by John B. Sargeant, 
wIkj reported the length of the proposed road as thirty-eight miles, 
and the cost as $10,000 per mile. Stock to a sufficient amount having 
been subscribed,* steps were taken to grade the section between 
Washingtonville and the Quassaick creek. Ground was broken on 
the 3d of November, 1836, with appropriate ceremonies, and the 
auspicious event was celebrated by a general illumination of the 
village. f In response to a petition on the part of the citizens in- 
terested in the road, the legislature, in the early part of the session 



* The Telegi-aph of August 26, says: "Great liberality in ceding lands for the track we 
understand is manifest^Bd in many instances. A large landholder in one instance, whose 
extensive lands are traversed for some distance by the line, (we allude to the Hon. R. 
Denniston), gave the company permission to take without price, any route except through 
his house. Such a spirit as this will btiild the road speedily." 

t A general illumination by the citizens of the village took place on Thursday evening 
last, to celebrate the commencement of the Hudson and Delaware railroad — the notice for 
which, to many was first announced by the blazing of tar barrels throughout the streets; 
but no sooner was it generally known than every window in the village from the cellar to 
the garret which could show a light was filled with blazing candles. The spirit with 
which the storekeepers vied with each other on the occasion was well displayed, for having 
placed candles in every pane of glass in their windows, they paraded them in rows on the 
awning rails — which gave to the closely populated part of the village a most splendid 
appearance. The private residences of the merchants and wealthy residents on the upper 
streets are also deserving of notice; among those who had something extra both in point 
of position and bnlliancy of effect, were Thomas Powell, Esq., W. Eoe, Esq., H. Robin- 
son, Esq., and in a most eminent degree James S. Brown, and Samuel Noyes, Esq., who 
with all the enthusiasm with which his liberal spirit is endowed kept up two bonfires on 
the end of his docH and continued the firing of cannon from early in the evening tUl aft«r 
ten o'clock. John Ledyard, Esq., with his usual promptitude, was most active in the dis- 
charge of his official duty, and continued till the last at the bonfire ; to him, for his imme- 
diate compliance with tlie wishes of the citizens, and Mr. Jonathan Hasbrouck, in grant- 
ing the use of his ground, are the inhabitants particularly indebted. J. P. DeVVint, Esq., 
of Fishkill Landing, had his residence most brilliantly illuminated, which had a most beau- 
tiful appearance from the heights on the south of the village. 

On the mountain south of the village of Canterbury there was a large bonfire early in 
the evening, and we beUeve throughout the whole county a general rejoicing has taken 
place Gaz., Nov. 10, 1836. 

015 



226 HISTORY OF NEWBUROH. 



of 1837, iiiisscd ail act enabling the trustees of the village to purchase 
at par $150,000 of tlie stock. The subscription was made in accor- 
dance with the provisions of the act; anil on the 10th of January, 
1838, the trustees paid their first and last installment of $10,000. 

The financial reverses of 1837 prostrated the enterprise; and, 
although a considerable portion of the section placed under contract 
in August, 1836, was graded, the work was not continued. However, 
in 1840, the Erie company having asked th(> aid of the state, the 
whole influence of the citizens of Newburgh was exerted to compel 
that company, as a condition of aid, to construct a branch road to 
Newburgh.* The effort was unsuccessful — the Erie company received 
a loan of the credit of the statt' to the amount of $3,000,000. The 
embarrassment of the Erie company culminated in 1842, and its 
affairs were placed in the hands of assignees. In 1845, the com- 
pany having again applied to the legislature for aid, the citizens of 
Newburgh again, and this time with success, pressed the proposi- 
tion for a branch road. Their efforts led to a conference with the 
Erie company, which resulted in the submission of bills t() the legis- 
lature — the first releasing the company from the payment (tf the 
$3,000,000 loan, on condition that a bona fide subscription to that 
amount should be secured within eighteen months; the second, re- 
quiring the company to construct a branch to N(>wburgh within six 
years after the passage of the act. To more certainly secure the 
latter, a written agreement was made, on the 19th of March, between 
the directors of the Hudson and Delaware ct)mpany and the direc- 
tors of the Erie company by which the former conveyed to the latter 
" all the grants, lands, immunities, franchises, improvements, rights, 
privileges, maps and charts, and all of the real and personal estate 
of every kind whatsoever belonging" to that company under and by 
virtue of its charter, in consideration of the sum of not less than 
forty thousand dollars; tlie Erie company agreeing as a further con- 
sideration, that on the passage of the bill then before the legislature 
authorizing the company to construct a branch road to Newburgh, 
and also the bill releasing the comi)any from tlu' payment of the three 
millions loaned to it by the state, that then, upon the bona fide sub- 



* At a meeting of the citizens of Newburgh, held Marcli ith, 1840, — Moses H. Belkii.ip, 
president, and Solomon Tuthill, clerk,— it was 

Resolved, That if the legislature shall grant further aid to the New York and Erie rail- 
road company by any t'ormei- or future law. to be passed for that purpose — in such case tlie 
expenditure thereof shall be luadc^ under the more immediate supervision of the state — 
and upon the middle and western sections of said road, wliere the same would comiect 
with works already constructed, such as the Delaware and Hudson, the Chenango and 
Chemung canals, and the Ithaca and Owego railroad, and neld an innnediate i)rotit, which 
caimot be effected by constructing the eastern end of said "road in the lirst place, as is now 
being done. 

Resolved, That no such further aid be granted, unless it be accompanied by legislative 
provision for the construction of a branch of sairT road terminating at Newburgh. 



RAILROAD ENTERPRISES. 



227 



scriptioii of tlic Hudson and Delaware company of one hundred thou- 
sand dollars to the capital stock of the Erie company, the latter 
would construct the branch to Newburgh and issue to the Hudson and 
Delaware company stock to the amount of $140,000. On the [)ay- 
ment of twenty-five per cent, of the subscription of $100,000, "the 
same together with a sum (Mjual to twice that amount" to b(^ fur- 
nished by the Erie company, was to be " actually expended " upon the 
branch "simultaneously with and as rapidly" as that company should 
progr(^8s with its main line; and this ratio of payments and expendi- 
tures was to continue until $300,000 was expended. In case that sum 
did not complete the branch, then further subscriptions, by the Hud- 
son and Delaware company, if made, should "be immediately applied 
to the construction of said branch and the putting of the same in 
operation." The interests of the roads being thus harmonized, the 
bills referred to were passed by th(! legislature on the 14th of May 
following. The stock subscriptit)n required from the Hudson and 
Delaware company under the agreement was soon raised, and $15,000 
in addition — in all $115,000. The following are the names of the 
subscribers, and the mnnber of shares taken by each, as nearly as can 
be ascertained: 

Atwood, William SIik. 1 

Agnew, William 25 

Barclay, David H- 5 

Belkuap, A. & M. H. 5 

Betts, Frederick J. 20 

Belknap, Aaron 10 

Beveridge, J. & Co. 100 

Brennan, Patrick 5 

Bennett, Hiram 10 

Brown, John W. 5 

Buckingham, B. F. 2 

Buchanan, H. P. 2 

Bouton, Lewis S. 5 

Barker, John 3 

Chambers, James 15 

Chambers, John 5 

Calyer, Daniel K. 2 

Crawford, David 50 
Crawford, Mailler k Co., 50 

Cleary, William 3 

Cornwell, George 5 

Corwin. Halsey & Co., 8 

Clugston, John 3 

DeWint, John P. 100 

DeGroff, James 3 

On the fultillment of this stock subscription by the citizens of New- 
burgh, it was their prerogative to be represented in the board of the 
Erie company by a local director, and Homer Ramsdell was accord- 
ingly nominated by the subscribers and el(>cted as such director, in 
the summer of 1845. Tlu; first contracts made by the Erie company, 
upon its reorganization under the amended act of 1845, were those 
for constructing the Newburgh branch, and that part of the main line 



DuBois, Nathaniel 


20 


Mouell, John J. 


5 


Falls, Hiram 


3 


Moflfat, D. H. 


5 


Farrington, Daniel 


20 


Niven, T. M. 


10 


Felter, Theron 


2 


Nicoll, Wm. C. 


1 


Fowler, Jacob V. B. 


5 


Oakley, Isaac K. 


4 


Fowler, M. V. B. 


5 


Powell, Thos. & Co., 


250 


Gardner, Silas D. 


2 


Purdy, Henry L. 


2 


Gerard, Franklin 


3 


Robinson, Capt. Hear 


V 50 


Gowdey, James 


1 


Stanton & Clark, 


3 


Gorhaiii, John R. 


3 


Sneed, George 


3 


Hasbroiick, Wm. C. 


5 


Spier k Wilson, 


2 


Harris, John 


10 


'Smith, Corns. C. 


10 


Halsey, Waltei' 


10 


Smith, Wm. P. C. 


5 


Hasbrouck, Eli 


5 


Smith & Booth, 


5 


Halstead & Co. 


5 


Smith, Orville M. 


3 


Hathaway, Odell S. 


10 


Storm, Garret 


50 


Hawkins, Wm. H. 


1 


Tyler, Benjamin 


10 


Horton & McCamly, 


10 


VanNort, Benj. W. 


10 


Johnes, Edward R. 


10 


Weed, Harvey 


50 


Kemp, Robert D. 


3 


WUlianis, Samuel 


3 


Kernochan, Joseph 


50 


Walsh, Henrv 


5 


Lander, Tobias D. 


2 


Zabriskie, A. G. 


3 


Little, John 


2 


Wiley, John 


5 


Little, Thomas 


2 


Waugh, Jas S. 


2 


Meckleni, George 


5 


Whited, J. J. & Co., 


3 


Miller, C. B. 


15 







228 HTSTOBY OF XEWlUliOIl. 



hotwomi Middlctmvn and Otisvill(\ Tlio work was caniiHl forward 
undor tlu> aiiTociucnt until in 18-47. wlicii. by roasoii of ononnous ox- 
piMiditnn>s upon the main line bctwtMMi OtisvilU' and Hin,<;liauiton, and 
when only about |^11^>,000 (tlu> amount subsnibod at X('wburi;-10 had 
btM'u expended upon the bianeh, the Erie company was so presstnl tor 
money that a suspiMision oi' the work upon tlie braneh was deemed 
imperative. To prevent this, and to bridue over the neec^ssitios of 
the hour, the Newburgh director agreed to negotiate the acceptances 
of the company for eaidi successive monthly estimate until January, 
184\). at whii'h time all were to nuiture. During this time the further 
sum of $loO,000 was expended upon the branch. 

The opening ol tlie main line of the Krie to Hinghamton, on th(> 
•27th o\' Oecember, 1S48, was attended liy a cost far exceeding the 
estiniatt's, and the linanees oi' ilie euni|iany were corri'spondingly 
embarrasseil; added to this were hea\y drains foi- work tluMi being" 
vigorously pushed upon tlu' Susipiclianna division, so that the direc- 
tory, ill January, 1849, deemed themselves tore(>d to discontinue the 
expenditures upon the l>ranch. At this juncture tlu^ Newburgh direc- 
tor proposed to raise the smn of |;l4;i.000 upon the ai'ceptances ol' the 
company, to mature May. 1851. and to jiay the same to the company, 
provided responsilile parties in Newburgh wmdd endorse the accept- 
ances, and also provided the i-omjiaiiy would exi'cute a mortg'ag'e 
upon the branch as security tor tlu> anuuint. In view o[' the compul- 
sory clause of tlu> act of 1845, ndeasing* the company from tlu' pay- 
ment of the $8.(H)0.000 loan, conditioncHl upon tinishing- the road to 
Dunkirk and also the Newburgh branch, in May, 18f>l, and as a 
tinaiu'ial measure, tin' board iA' ilirectors at'cepted the proposition 
and ado|ited the following preandije and n^solution: 

At a meeting of the directors of the New York and Erio Railroad Comjiany. the following 
preamble and rosolution wtMv unanimously adoptml (January 10th, LS4t)): 

"■Wheroas, thori' lias atioady boon cxiH'uih'd upon tlio Ni'wburuh branch, in conformity 
to agrocniont. alxuit tlic sum of two hundred and forty-tivo thousand dollars, whii'li, to- 
gether with tlu> sums necessary to complete the present contracts, say twenty thousand 
dollars, will nearly make up tbe ann>unt retpiired to be advanced by this company toward 
the construction of said braiu'ti road, as per auieenu'Ut of I'.ltli I\[arch. IS-to; and wlierens. 
the inhabitants of Newburgh, in order to secure the completion of the said road by the 
tirst ilay of September next, jiropose to advance upon the aeceptaiu'cs of this company 
$14:5.0(10 for that pnri>ose: and whereas, upon tlie extension of the nuiin line of our road 
to Elmira, if not earlier, saiil bramdi voad will l^e of threat value if completed; therefore 

" Kesolved. that the suiierintendin^' en^ineir u]>on the Ni'wburf,'h branch is hereby 
authorized to draw upon tbe treasurer of tliis eomiiany in sums iu>t less tlian S500 to an 
auKHint on tbe a.u.Ljregate of one hundred and forty-live thousand dtdlars. which drafts 
shall be payable in ^lay. 1S;")1 ^the time pri'scrilied by tlie law of this state for the com- 
pletion of said brani'li roadK and bear interest at seven per cent, per anmim payable half 
yearly; and that Homer Kanisdell be authorized to prot-ni-e the money upon said accep- 
tances and deposit it with the treasurer to be ajiplicd toward the i)nrcluise of iron rails 
and completion of said Iiranch road as aforesaid; and that the jiresident is hereliy author- 
ized to issue such orders as sluiU be necessary to carrv out the intention of the foregoing 
preamble and resolution." A true copy, " N.\TIIAlsIEL MAKSH. Secy. 

"In consideration of and in conformity to" this }iri'amble and 
resolution, the following persons made written agreement, tm the 



RA Tl H OA T> ENTERPR TSKS. 



229 



Daniel Farrington, 


$1,000 


A. A M. H. Belknaii, 


1,000 


Jno. J. Monell, 


1,000 


Corwiii, Halsey & Co., 


1,000 


Richard C. Sniitli, 


1,000 


Geor{<(tM(!cklem, 


500 


Spier it. VVilwon, 


500 


Enocli (!iirt(!r, 


500 


Odd] S. Hathaway, 


3,000 


Christopher J5. Miller, 


2,000 


Aaron B. Belknap, 


1,000 



15th Jannui'y, 1849, to ('iidorsc the iicccptanccs of" the Eric company 

fur tlic sums set opposite tlieir names: 

T. Powell & Co., $45,000 

J. BeveridKe A Co., 25,000 

John P. DeWint, 25,000 

B. Cai-itenter & Co., 10,000 

Adam IJlhurn, 1,000 

Crawford, Mailler & Co., 20,000 

J. V. B. Fowler & Co., 1,000 

F. Gerard and Jas. DeGroff, 1,000 

Wm. C. Hasbrouok, ] ,000 

N. Reeve, 1,000 

Corns. C. Smith, 1,000 

Stan ton , CI ark & Co . , 1 ,000 

BenJ. TyI(T, 1,000 $145,500 

'l'lies(! acceptances w(!re also all endoi'sod by Thomas Powell & Co. 
On the 23d of February lollowin<^-, iMessrs. Powell, Rainsdell & (Jo. 
and J. Beveridg-e & (Jo. purchased 2,000 tons of rnilroad iron, then in 
in the hands of Davis, Brooks & (Jo., at $40 per ton and duties there- 
on, lor which the notes of Powell & (Jo. wcsre g^iven foi- $55,000, and 
the notes of Beveridg'c & (Jo. for $28,000. In addition to the iron, 
llomei- Ilamsdell purchased the depot gidunds— embracing- the riv(n' 
front between the Whaling com|)any'8 dock and the north line of 
Western Avenue, and also a lot south of the dock of John W. Wells, 
fronting- 1(55 feet oil Water street and the river — pa^'ing- for the same 
$20,000. The property of John W. Wells, 91 feet on the river, with 
a (piit i-laim to one half of West(;rn Avenue, was condemned and 
taken on the award of commissioners at $40,000. On settlement in 
June, it was found that Powell & Co. wer(! at that time, through en- 
dorsements, acceptances, and advances, responsible lor $202,219. The 
capital thus furnished compk^ted tlie branch, and on th(! 9th of Janu- 
ary, 1850, its opening was celebi-a,ted with ap{)i-opriat(! festivities. 

The first depot building- of the branch was erected a sly)rt distance 
south of those now occupied. The present building-s were erected by 
Mr. Ramsdell in 1870, and leased by him, tog((th(;r with the; dock (for- 
merly the Whaling- company's wharf), to the Erie comj)any, the com- 
pany having- the option to purchase them and the land upon which they 
are located. The orig-inal track ol' the road was laid in Front street 
as far north as Fifth. It was once passed over, a,nd then abandoned 
by common consent; its rails remain bedded under the pavement. 

The old Delaware and Hudson comjjany left Ix'hind, as the only 
memorials of its existence, a partly g-rad(;d track, and the stock sub- 
scription of the villag-e oi' \ewburg-h ($10,000), upon the debt for 
which the interest has lieen annually paid since 1838. The details of 
its history, as well as those of the construction of the branch, now 
serve as monuments to the memory of those who were its projectors 
and supporters. Thi; eflfort of 1837 is now an a,C(;om))lislied fact: the 
coal mines of Pennsylvania are in connection with Newburgh by rail; 



5^30 msToRY OF NmrBimon. 



but tlie advantages of the earlier enterprise passed away, to a very 
large extent, with its opportunity. 

WARWICK VALLEY RAILROAD. 

Although not strictl}'" a Newburgh enterprise, the Warwick Valley 
railroad — consti-ucted in part by Newburgli capital and constituting 
a portion of the proposed line extending from the Delaware (Water 
Gap) to a connection with the Newburgh branch at Chester — enters 
into intimate relation with the history of its railroad enterprises. 
Inmiediattdy following the completion of the Newburgh branch, the 
project of its extension to the Delawaiv was considered, and a survey 
and maps made; but nothing further was accomjilished. In 1859, 
Mr. Grinnell Burt, and other residents of Warwick, practically revived 
the project by organizing the "Warwick Valley Railroad Company'' 
under the following board of directors: (Trinnell Burt, John Huther- 
ford, Thomas B. DeKay, Ezra Sanford, James B. Wheeler, Milton 
McEwen, James Burt, John H. Brown, John L. Welling, Wm. Herrick, 
James P. Houston, and Nathan R. Wheeler. On organization the 
directors elected Grinnell Burt, president; Milton McEwen vice presi- 
dent; James B. Wheeler, treasurer; Wm. Herrick, secretary. The 
capital stock was $100,000, of which Newburgli furnished $10,500. 
When the road was completed the bonded and floating debt amounted 
to a little over $100,000, forty per cent, of which has since been paid 
out of the earnings of the road, and a surplus of an equal amount 
has been expended to extend the road to the New Jersey state line. 
In consideration of these payments and to create a surplus fund, a 
stock dividend of one hundred per cent, was declared to the stock- 
holders in 1867. Regular annual dividends of seven per cent, have 
been paid from the earnings of the it)ad, showing that, aside from the 
advantages which it has conferred upon the district which it traverses, 
it has been a pecuniary success. Mr. Grinnell Burt has been the 
president and superintendent since the organization of the company. 
John L. Welling has served for many years as secretary and treas- 
urer. Robert A. Forsyth and Wm. L. F. Warren, of Newburgh, were 
early members of the board of directors, and subsequently Homer 
Ramsdell. On the death of Mr. Forsyth, Isaac C. Chapman was 
elected his successor. 

newhur(;h and new vork RAn>ROAn. 

The Newburgh and New York railroad company was organized in 
the city of New York, December 20tli, 1864 — Samuel Marsh, Daniel 
Drew, John Aniot, Isaac N. Phelps, Robert H. Burdell, Dudley S. 
Gregory, Ambrose S. Murray, J. C. Bancroft Davis, H. L. Pierson, 
Alexander S. Diven, Thomas W. Gale, John J. Monell, Thomas H. 
Bate, directors; J. C. Bancroft Davis, president; Horatio N. Otis, sec- 



nATlROAl) ENTERPmSEH. 231 



I'etary. Tlie capital stock was fixed at $500,000, of which over 
$1000 per mile was immediately subscribed and paid up. The project 
was based on a ])roposition for a west shore road from New York to 
Albany, which, by its construction, would only lack sixty miles of 
completion. Aside from the directors named, who subscribed ten 
shares ($100) each, (xeorg-c Clark, and Enoch Carter, of Nevvburg-h, 
subscribed one share each; F. A. DeWint of Fishkill, one; and John 
Hilt(m, H. N. Otis, Chas. Minot, L. E. Tillotson, J. W. Guppy, Wm. R. 
Barr, N. Finch, E. W. Brown, and J. D. White, of New York, each 
one. The road being- less than iifteen miles in length, the number of 
directors was reduced to seven, in conformity with the general rail- 
road law, in December, 18<)7, when John S. Eldridge, Jay Gould, J. C. 
B. Davis, Daniel Drew, A. S. Diveu, Henry Thompson, and Homer 
Ramsdell, were elected. On the 1st of August, 1808, Mr. Ramsdell 
was elected president. He resigned July 7, 1869, and James Fisk, 
Jr., was elected. The line was surveyed by John W . Houston, engi- 
neer; the contract for construction was awarded to Peter Ward and 
William Leary, of Newburg'h, Aug. 1, 18(58, and the work completed 
Sept. 1, 1869. The road was subsequently leased to the Erie company, 
that company supplying the capital required for its construction. 

The understo(td willingnc^ss of the company to second any eftbrt to 
extend the connections of the road, gave rise to what have been called 
" the Newburgh paper railroads," the first of which, the 

NEWBUROH AND WAI,LKILL VALLKV RAILROAD, 

took the form of a company to construct a road from Newburgh to 
Walden, connecting at Vail's Gate with the Erie branch and with the 
Newburgh and New York road. The company was organized in the 
winter of 186'T-'68 by the election of directors and officers. In May 
following (May 9), the legislature passed an act making it lawful 
"for the common council of the city of Newburgh to borrow, on the 
faith and credit of said city, the sum of three hundred and fifty 
thousand dollars" to aid in the construction of the road, and to issue 
•the bonds of the city therefor — on condition that the ccmsent should 
first be obtained, in writing, of a majority of the tax payers of the 
city, who should also own or represent more than one half of the tax- 
able real and personal property of the city. At the time the project 
was undertaken, the disposition of the Newburgh and New York 
company to second. the enterprise was not generally understood as a 
tangible agreement, and tliis fact, conjded witii an expressed oppo- 
sition to the Vail's (iate route, nn the part of several leading citizens, 
led to a iailure in obtaining the consent required to bond the city, 
and necessarily to a suspension oi" the furthei- prosecution of the un- 
dertaking-. 



232 msTon r of newb ur ok 



NEWBURGH AND MIDLAND RAILROAD. 

The proposition to construct a road tVoin the vicinity of West New- 
burg'h to Walden and thence to Fair Oaks, there to connect with the 
MidUind, was the outgrowth of the effort on behalf of the Newburgli 
and Wallkill Valley road, and took definite form in the organization 
of the " Newburgh and Midland Railway Company" — George Clark, 
president; Odell S. Hathaway, vice president; Alfred Post, treasurer; 
John Dales, secretary; George Clark, Abram S. Cassedy, A. T. Rand, 
Bradbury C. Bartlett, Odell S. Hathaway, Seth M. (^apron, David 
Moore, James W. Taylor, Alfred Post, William R. Brown, William J. 
Roe, Jr., Lewis M. Smith, Wm. 0. Mailler, directors. 

To build tliis road et^brt was made to bond the city for $500,000, 
under the general act authorizing municipal corporations to aid in the 
construction of railroads. What was presumed to be the consent of 
a majority of the tax payers, and also of a majority of the taxable 
property of the city, was obtained. On examination of the list before 
Hon. Thomas George, county judge, it was held by him that wliile the 
petition for consent to bond was signed by a majority of the tax 
payers, the signatures did not represent a majority of the taxable 
property of the city — $555,099 of the amount being held by execu- 
tors, administrators, etc., whose right to thus represent the trusts 
which they held, was denied. An appeal was taken to the supreme 
court, whicli, at general term, January, 1812, affirmed the decision of 
Judge George — ^Justices Tappen and Gilbert concurring, Justice Bar- 
nard dissenting. This decision ended the undertaking, and with it 
the last of the Newburgh railroad enterprises. 



BANK OF NEWBURGH. 



The Bank of Newburgh was incorporated by act of the legislature, 
passed Mai'ch 22, 1811, on the petition of Jacob Powell. John Mcx\ulay, 
Chanc}^ Belknap and Jonathan Fisk.* Tlu' capital named was $120,- 
000, in shares of $50 each; and the state reserved the right to sub- 
scribe to the stock any amount not exceeding one thousand shares. 
The first directors were: Isaac Belknap, Jr., Jacob Powell, Selah 
Reeve, Chancy Belknap, Freegift Tuthill, Leonard Carpenter, Saml. 
S. Seward, Jonathan Hedges, Francis Crawford, James Hamilton, 
John D. Lawson, and Richard Trimble, elected by the stockholders; 
and William Ross and Jonathan Fisk appointed on the part of the 
state. The stock was all taken soon after the passage of the act of 
incorporation; and on the 15th June, the corner-stone of the pres- 

* Notice is hereby given, that tho suhseribers and others, intend to petition the Icgishi- 
tiire of this state, at its next session, fur a hiw of ineorporation to estabUsh a bank in 
the village of Newburgh. in tlie county of Orange, the capital stock to consist of Four 
Hundred Thousand Dollars. Dated, Newburgh, January 1st, ISll. 

CHANCY BELKNAP. JACOB POWELL, 

JONATHAN FISK, JOHN McAULAY. 



BANKING INSTITUTIONS. " 233 



ent banking hoiisO was laid.* Tlie building was completed and the 
bank was opened for business on the 9th of September, 

The charter of 1811 continued until 1830, when the stock held by 
the state was withdrawn, the bank was reiirganizcd under the safety 
fund hiw, and the capital increased to $140,000. In 1851, the capital 
was furtlu'r increasixl to $200,000, when tlie bank was reorganized 
under the general banking law. In September, 1852, the capital 
was increased to $300,000.f 

The first president of the bank was Isaac Belknap, Jr., and the first 
cashier, John S. Hunn. Wm. Walsh succeeded Mr. Belknap in 1827, 
and served until his death in 1839, when John Cliairibers was elected. 
Mr. Chambers servcid until his death in 1854, when (xcorge W. K(;rr 
was elected. Mr. Hunn was succ(!ed(!(l in the cashi(irship by Freder- 
ick W. Farnum; Mr. Furiium by Wm. M. Vcnniilyea; Mr. VermilyeaJ 
by Levi Dodge; Mr. Dodge, in I83tt, by (ieorge W. Kerr; and Mr. 
Kerr, in 1854, by Francis Scott. On the 5th of July, 1864, the bank 
was organized as a national bank — (xeorge W. Ki'vv, president, and 
John J. S. McOroskery, cashier — and its capital raised to $800,000. 

BRANCH BANK OK NKWBUR(iH. 

In 1818, the directors of the Bank of Newburgh determined to es- 
tablish a branch at Ithaca; the arrangements for which were perfected 
and the. institution went into opcu'ation on the 15th of F'ebruary, 1820, 
under the following officers: Luther Gore, president; Charles W. Con- 
nor, cashier; Benj. Johnson, Joseph Benjamin, Levi Leonard, Calvin 
Burr, Herman Camp, and Charles A. Morrell, directors. The branch 
continued in operation until 1830, when, on the expiration of the old 
charter, it was discontinued. 

HKJHLAND BANK. 

In 1833, application was made to the legislature to incorp(jrate the 
Highland Bank; but the bill was lost in the senate. This result was 
followed by a meeting of citizens at the Mansion House, April 20, 
1833, " to take into consideration such measures as might be deemed 
necessary to obtain an increase of the banking capital of Newburgh." 
Of this meeting Selah Reeve was chosen president; Daniel Farring- 
toh and Robert Lawson, vice presidents; and Abraham M. Smith and 
Aaron Belknap, secretaries. After the passage of a resolution regret- 



* On Saturday, June 15th, 1811, the president and directors of the Bank of Newburgh, 
assisted by the master mason, laid the corner-stone of the banking house, in Water street. 
The building is to be of brick, thirty feet front, forty-six deep, three stories high, and 
finished in a liandsome style. — bidex. 

t The incn^ase of the capital of the bank, here referred to, was made by the sale by 
auction of the stock, on Tuesday, Sept. 2d, 1852. The increase was mainly taken by the 
old stockholders, and yielded a premium of $14,130.75. 

X Mr. Vermilyea tendered his resignation for the purpose of accepting the appointment of 
cashier of the Merchant's Exchange Bank of New York, which commenced business in 
September, 1831. 



234 HISTORY OP NEwniTmn. 

ting the defeat of the bill, committees were appointed to renew and 
circulate petitions to the next leg-islature. The second application 
was successful; the charter passed the legislature April 26, 1834.* 

The charter capital of the bank was $200,000. Nathaniel Jones, 
Egbert Jansen, Robert Fowler, Nathl. P. Hill, John F(»rsyth, James 
Belknap, Aaron Noyes, Noah Mathewson, and Christopher Reeve 
were appointed commissioners to receive stock subscriptions. In a 
few weeks nearly double the capital required was subscrib(>d, and a 
pro rata distribution of the stock became necessary. 

The bank was organized on the 21st of July, 1834, under the fol- 
lowing officers: Directors — Gilbert 0. Fowler, Samuel Williams, Jack- 
son Oakley, Thomas Powell, Charles Borland, Jr., Daniel Farrington, 
Benj. H. Mace, James Belknap, Benj. Carpenter, Nathl. Jones, Abm. 
Vail, Robert Fowler. Gilbert 0. Fowler, president, and James Belk- 
nap, cashier. Mr. Belknap subsequently resigned, and Thos. C. Ring 
was elected. Mr. Ring resigned in 1838, and Robert Burnett held the 
office until his death in 1840, wiien (May 10) Alfred Post was elected. 
Mr. Fowler served as president until his death, when George Cornwell 
was elected. On the death of Mr. Cornwell (Nov. 18(i7), Mr. Post 
was elected president and M. C. Belknap, cashier. Directors in 1861: 
Alfred Post, John W. Brown, David Moore, Ed. R. Johnes, Jas. W. 
Taylor, Peter V. B. Fowler, Robt. Denniston, Thaddeus Hait, John 
Lomas, Walter S. Vail, George A. Elliott. 

The capital of the bank was increased to $350,000 ($100,000 from 
surplus and $50,000 new stock), Jan. 1, 1865. It was organized as a 
national bank, April 22, 1865, and its capital increased to $450,000. 

POWELL BANK. 

The Powell Bank was organized December 12, 1838, as an associated 
bank — with a capital of $135,000. The first directors and officers 
were: Directors — Thos. Powell, Samuel Williams, Daniel Farrington, 
Benj. Carpenter, Charles Halstead, Homer Ramsdell, Wni. L. F. 
Warren. Thomas Powell, president; Saml. Williams, vice president; 
Thos. C. Ring, cashier; Natlianiel R. Belknap, teller. The capital 
stock was held by Hiram Bennett, A. & M. H. Belknap, Benj. Carpenter 
& Co., Daniel Farrington, A. P. Johnes, H. Ramsdell, Rtie & Darby, 
Thos. Powell, Gecjrge Sneed, and Samuel Williams. 

In January, 1843, the stockholders, with the exception of Th(ts. 
Powell and Homer Ramsdell, withdrew their stock, and the institution 
became an individual bank, with a capital of $110,000, — Thos. Powell, 
president; Homer Ramsdell, vice president; and T. C. Ring, cashier. 
Messrs. Powell and Ramsdell subsequently increased the capital tu 
$175,000. The bank was discontinued in 1851.1 

* Ante p. 193. f Ante p. 194, 196. 



BANKING INSTITUTIONS. 285 



QUASSAICK BANK. 

The drg'anization of the Quassaick Bank was based on the assumed 
necessity fur a larger banking capital to accommodate the business of 
the village. The directors of the Bank of Newbnrgh endeavored to 
supply this want by increasing the capital stock of that institution 
$100,000; but this addition proved inadequate to the demand. On 
Thursday evening, September 4th, 1851, a meeting of citizens was 
held at the Orange Hotel for the purpose of considering the subject. 
David Crawford was chosen chairman, and O; M. Smith secretary. 
After addresses by Wm. Fullerton, W. E. Warren, S. W. Eager, T. M. 
Niven, and others, a committee was appointed to name suitable per- 
sons fitr directors, and also to suggest a title for the institution. On 
the report of this committee, a board of directors was nominated, and 
"The Quassaick Bank," adopted as the title. 

On the 81st of March, 1852, the bank was formally organized by 
the adoption of articles of association, and coirunenced business with 
a capital of $180,000 in the spring of that year. The first officers 
were: Directors — E. W. Farrington, J. I. Crawford, I. R. Carpenter, 
Asa Sterling, Isaiah Townsend, Charles U. Cushman, John Jamison, 
W. K. Mailler, Jas. Patton, John J. Monell. A vacancy in the board 
was filled, at the ensuing election in May, by the election of David 
Moore. At the organization of the bank E. W. Farrington was chosen 
president; Jonathan N. Weed, cashier, and W. H. Gerard, teller. D. 
(xillis Leonard succeeded Mr. Farrington in May, 1862, and Odell S. 
Hathaway was elected in September, 1864, to fill the vacancy occa- 
sioned by the death of Mr. Leonard in May of that year. James N. 
Dickey was elected teller in 1863. The capital of the bank was in- 
creased to $200,000, Sept. 1852; and to $300,000, March, 1854. It 
was organized as a national bank June 3, 1865, the capital remain- 
ing unchanged. 

NEWBURGH SAVINGS BANK. 

By act of the legislature passed April 13, 1852, E. W. Farrington, 
John J. Monell, Charles U. Cushman, Robert L. Case, Robert A. For- 
syth, Richard A. Southwick, Odell S. Hathaway, Gilbert C. Monell, 
David H. Barclay, Adam Lilburn, Saml. W. Eagin-, Corns. C. Smith, 
Robert Sterling, Robert D. Kemp, Charles Drake, David Moore, John 
H. Waters, James I. Crawford, James Patton, Wm. K. Mailler, Benj. 
Carpenter, T. M. Niven, and their successors, were constituted " a 
body corporate and politic, by the name of The Newburgh Savings 
Bank." The bank commenced business January 1, 1853, with the fol- 
lowing officers, viz: Robert L. Case, president; O. S. Hathaway and 
E. W. Farrington, vice presidents; (!harles V. Cushman, secretary and 
treasurer. In 1854, E. W . Farrington was elected president; Charles 



236 



BISTORT OF NEWBURGH. 




Halstead, Jr., treasurer; G. C. Monell, secretary. In 1858, Daniel B. 
St. Jolm, president; Tiios. C King, treasurer; J. R. Wiltsie, secretary. 
These officers were continued until 1872, when the Rev. John Forsyth 

was elected pi-esident. He was 
succeeded by J. DeWitt Walsh, 
wlio served untilJanuary,1813, 
when Mr. St. John was reelect- 
ed, and Mr. 'Ring entered upon 
liis seventeenth year as treas- 
urer. The deposits on the 1st 
July, 1859, were $124,000; July 
1st, 1875, $2,467,100. 

In the summer of 1866, the 
directors conmienced the erec- 
tion of the building- now occu- 
pied by the bank — Vaux, With- 
ers & Co., architects; Franklin 
Gerard, m a s o n ; McClung & 
Deyo, carpenters. It was com- 
pleted in 1868, and occupied by the bank in October of that year. 
Its cost was about $130,000, which was paid from the earning-s of 
the bank. 

BANK SUSPENSIONS. 

The Bank of Newburg-h and the Highland Bank suspended specie 
payments May 12, 1887. On the morning of that day, the directors 
and officers held a meeting" and passed the following among other 
resolutions : 

' ' Resolved, That duiiug the suspension of specie payments by the New York city banks, 
it will be prudent and necessary for the village banks to retain their specie for the use of 
the town and county, to be used in the ordinary business of the county. 

"Resolved. That the banks will, therefore, for the present, suspend pajing specie for 
the redemption of their bills — other than such as may be ottered by our citizens to obtain 
small sums for the prosecution of their accustomed business.'' 

At 11 o'ch)ck, the same day, a meeting of citizens was held at the 
Orange Hotel — John Ledyard, chairman; Christopher Reeve and David 
Sands, secretaries. After reading tiic resolutions adopted by the 
banks, their course was approved. 

In consequence of this action, the banks were able to supply specie 
to the public during the whole of the period of suspension. On the 
1st of September, 1837, the Bank of Newburgh held $23,921 in specie, 
and the Highland Bank $15,450. The suspensions of 1857, were made 
in a similar manner. While amply prepared to redeem their circula- 
tion in g-old and silver, the suspension of New York city banks ren- 
dered the same course necessary on the part of those of Newburgh. 
The suspension of specie payments growing out of the war of the 



INCORPORATED COMPANIES. 237 



rebellion practically began on the 30tli of December, 1861, when the 
New York city banks suspended, and has continued since that time, 
under tlie substitution for gold and silver of an irredeemable national 
currency. 

XFAVBURGH WHALING COMPANY. 

The precise date of the organization of this ctnnpany caimot now 
be ascertained, but the first entry of stock was made on the 31st De- 
cember, 1831. On the 24th of January, 1832, the legislature passed 
an act incorporating the company, by the terms of which "William 
Roe, John P. DeWint, Abraham M. Smith, John Harris, Benoni H. 
Howoll, Samuel Williams, Benj. Carpenter, Christopher Reeve and 
Augustus F. Schofield," and such others as were then or might there- 
after be associatinl with tlxMii, were empowered to engage "in the 
whale fishery in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and elsewhere, and 
in the manufacture of oil and spermaceti candles." The capital stock 
was fix(;d at $200,000 in shares of $50; but the company was author- 
ized to commence business as soon as $50,000 should be subscribed 
and paid in. The persons named in the act were to be the first direc- 
tors of the con)pany, and were also to act as commissioners to re- 
ceive sul)scripti()ns to the stock. Directors were to be elected on the 
first Tuesday in January of each year; the company authorized to 
purchase and hold real estate to an amount not exceeding twenty-five 
thousand dollars, and to have and perform all the rights and privi- 
leges of an incorporated company, with the only restriction that "no 
foreigner" sh(mld " ever be a stockholder, or anywise interested in 
said company." * 

The company was immediately organized under this act, and William 
Roe appointed president; Aaron Belknap, secretary, and Alu-aham M. 
Smith, agent. The books were opened for subscriptions and $109,000, 
or 2186 shares, of the capital stock taken. On the 1st of April, the 
company pi;rchased the sliip Portland, for $15,250; in August, the 
ship Russell, for $14,500, and in May following, the ship Illinois, for 
$12,000. During the same year, they also erected a large store-house 
on Water str(>et, near First street, and a commodious wliarf. The 
ships purchas(;d were fitted out and made two voyages each. The 
Portland was under command of Capt. Cook; the Russell, under Capt. 
Brock; and the Illinois, first voyage, Capt, Leonard — second voyage, 
Capt. Merchant. 

The business of the company was continued until 1837. In 1834, 

* The act encountered considerable opposition in the assembly, as appears from the 
debate on the 18th January. Mr. King, in reply to Mr. Myers, said, that "the reason why 
an act of incorporation was asked for, in this instance, was l)ecanse the present stock 
company in Newbtirgh was unable in any other way, to collect the necessary capital for 
the pros'ecution of their business on such a scale as they could wish, or as would be advan- 
tageous to the company." — Telegraph, Jan. 26, 1832. 



238 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 

Charles Ludlow, David W. Bato, John Harris, Kduuiiid Saiixay, Ahra- 
ham M. Smitli, James G. Clinton, Daniel Farrington, David M. DuBois 
and Joim Chambers were chosen directors. In the presidency, John 
D. Lawson succeeded Mr. Koe in 1833, and Charles Ludlow succeeded 
Mr. Lawson in 1834. I'riah Lockwood succeeded Mr. Belknap, and 
James Belknap, Mr. Lock wood, as secretary. The last voyage made 
was by the ship Portland, Capt. Cook, which arrived in New York in 
March, 1837, with 2100 barrels whale oil, 350 barrels sp(>rm oil, and 
19,000 pounds of bone. The cargo sold for alxmt $40,000. 

The enter{)rise, however, failed to yield the profit anticipati'd and 
was abandoned. Keceivers werc^ appointed, the ships and other prop- 
erty sold, and the stockholders paid back their original subscriptions 
with the addition of a snuill dividend. The existence of the i-ompany 
ceased in 1840; and in 1846, its books, with the exception of an im- 
perfect day-book, were destroyed by the fire which consumed the store 
of Daniel Farrington, in which they wen^ deposited.* 

NKVVBUWiH STEAM MIM.S. 

In the early I'art of the year 1844, a stock company was formed 
for the purpose of erecting mills for the manufacture of cotton goods. 
The capital agreed upon was $100, 000, f and the subscriptions to the 
stock were completed on the 'lh{\\ of May. On the 5th of Jnn(\ the 
company was fornnilly organized, and John Forsyth, Hiram Bennett, 
David Crawford, Aaron P. Johnes, Homer Kamsdell, Benjamin Car- 
penter, Christo{)her Heeve, I'riah Lockwood, and Daniel Farrington, 
elected directors; Hiram Bennett, president; Homer Kamsdell, vice 
president; Daniel Farrington, treasurer; and Uriah Lockwood, secre- 
tary. On the 12th of June, the directors selected the site and soon 
after commenced the erection of the necessary buildings. | 'fhe works 
wer(> eompleti'd and tlie manufai'ture of cotton connnenccd in 1845, 
since which time the mills have continued in operation, and partial 
tim(> kept during the most trying revulsions. A large portion of the 
original stockholders have disposed of their interest, and a majority 



* In addition to this ooini)any, an act was passed by the legislature, on the 2i)tli of 
April, 1^, "to incorporate the North River Whaling Company." The capital ot this 
company was tixed at #300.000. John Forsyth, Alexander Falls, John Ledyard. James 
Halstead. Jonathan Hasbnnick, Edmund Saiixay, John W. Knevols, John D. Phillips and 
William (.'. Hashrouck, were named as directorsin the act. This company, it issaicl, owed 
its (UMgin to Jonathan Hasbnnick. Beyond incorporation, however, nothing was ever done 
in its name. 

t $100,000 additional was obtained by loan tn)m H. A D. Parish of New York. 

:t The trustees of the "Newburgh Steam Mills" held a meeting on Tuesday last to 
select a site for their cotton factory from the several locations ottered. We learn that they 
unanimously accepted the proposals of Messrs. J. Beveridge & Co., and have taken their 
lot at the north part of the village on the immediate bank of the Hudson. It is "iOo feet 
in fr<nit on Water street and 750 feet on the river. The trustees have secured an advanta- 
geous site for then- works, and obtained the property for the trifling consideration of 
S3,000— Messrs. Beveridge k Co., in connection with the other holders of real estate in that 
vicinity, engaging to build a sufticieut road on the shore and a suitable wliarf for the estab- 
Ushment — Gazette, June 15, 184-1. 



SUPPLY OF WATER. 239 



dl' tlic stock i8 now licld by Thos. Garner. The main building is two 
hiin(b-ed and fifty feet long by fifty feet broad, and has five floors 
li('si(h' the basement — one Hoor being devoted to (^acii of the proces- 
ses of cotton manufacture. In addition to this buikling is another 
ninety by forty feet. 

NEWBURGH GAS-LIGHT COMPANY. 

This company was organized in May, 1851, with a capital of 
$65,000. The following gentlemen composed the first board of direc- 
tors, viz: Homer Kamsdell, David Crawford, E. W. Farrington, and 
.lolm J. Monell, of Newburgh, and J. A. Sabaten, of Albany, and S. 
Sabaten, of Newark, N. J. David Crawford was elected |»resident, 
and J. .1. Monell, secretary and treasurer of the board. Gas was first 
lighted in the latter part of September, 1852. 

.SUPPLY OF WATER. 

Prior to 1817, the village of Newburgh was mainly supplied with 
water by wells; but, as population increased, it became necessary to 
))rocure a supply from other sources. Private enterprise, for a time, 
relieve(l the nu)re pressing demand.* In 1840, the board of trustees 
took the subject in hand, and submitted to the inhabitants a plan for 
forming a stock association, f which resulted in the incorporation, by 



* Under date of August 3d, 1803, appears the following advertisement of the first 
water-works: 

" Wateb. — The proprietor of the works on the tenement foi-merly the property of Fran- 
cis Brewster, of this village, hereby informs his neighbors, that water may be had at the 
works until other arrangements are made, on tlie following easy terms, to wit — For every 
.5 pails of water, or less quantity, 5 cents; for each barrel filled at the works, 6 cents. All 
persons who come to the works for v/ater, will, in future, be soobliging as to call on some 
of the family, in oi-der that an account may be kept. Prompt payment will be expected 
at the end of every month. For workmen to drink, who are employed in erecting any 
building in the town, or such as are at work improving the streets, or other public Tabor, 
water gratis. " 

t •' A meeting of the inhabitants of the village of Newburgh is requested at the house 
of Edward Howell, in said village, on Saturday next, at 7 o'clock in the afternoon pre- 
cisely, to devise a suitable plan to siipply this village with good and wholesome water for 
all family purposes, and to supply the engines with water in case of tire. 

In the meantime the following plan is submitted to their consideration: 

That the amount of the expense of the proposed measure (estimated not to exceed 3000 
dollars) be divided into 600 shares, of five dollars each; that each inhabitant .shall be at 
liberty to subscribe as many shares as he may think fit, not exceeding 20 in number, during 
the first ten days after opening the subsciiptions; that none but inhabitants of the village, 
or persons holding real estate in the same, shall be permitted to subscribe any shares 
(luring the first ten days aforesaid; that subscription books be provided by the Trustees 
"f the village, and the subscriptions be made payable to the Treasurer of the Corporation 
at such times and in such proportif)ns as the board of trustees may from time to time 
direct, and emei'gencies require; but to be appropriated only to the object of the institu- 
tion; that the purchases of springs and sources of water, and the soil necessary for this 
purpose be made by the trustees in their corporate capacity, and be held by them and 
their successors, in trust for the exclusive benefit of the subscribers, their legal representa- 
tives, or assigns, until the income of the works shall be equal to the amount of the sub- 
-icriptions, and interest after the rate of fourteen per cent, per annum; that the works 
shall be carried on and when completed be, and always remam, under the sole direction 
and control of the truste^es for the time being, and that they may at all times make and 
ordain such prudential by-laws and regulations concerning the same, as shall be just and 
right; and that the whole interest, rights and emoluments of the institution shall be vested 
in the trustees for the time being, for the use of the inhabitants, when the subscribers 
shall have received the amount of their subscriptions and interest after the rate of 14 per 
cent, per annum. By order of the Trustees. G. MONELL, President. 

Newburgh, June 30, 1804. 



240 HISTORY OF NEWBUBOH. 



an act of the log-islature, passed March 7th, 1806, of the " Newburgh 
Aqueduct Association." Beyond this, however, nothing- appears to 
have been done until 180V>, when, o\^ the 27th of Marcli, the legisla- 
ture passed an act empowering- th(> trustees to prttcure a supply of 
water for the use of the villag-e, and f ir tliat purpose to enter upon 
the possession ol" any springs or streams of water within the corpo- 
rate bounds; provided, that there should, "in all cases, be left a 
sufficiency oi water in said spring or springs so taken, for the use of 
the owner of the lands wherein the said spring or springs are situ-, 
ated, and his heirs and their assigns forever;" and further, that com- 
pensation slmuld be made t\n- the property so taken. Two hundred 
and fifty dollars were to be raised annually by tax to meet the expen- 
ses incurred, and the act i>f 1806 was repealed. The sum named in 
this act proved to be insufficient, and no further proceedings were 
had until 1812, when a meeting of the citizens was held (Feb. 29), 
who sanctioned the l(>vying of a higher tax, by the trustees; but the 
latter regarded a compliance with the wishes of the former as illegal, 
and directed the raising of only the amount specified. This was the 
first water tax levied. 

In Mav, 1813, the trustees determined to contract with Jonathan 
Hasbrouck, the owner of Cold Spring, and Walter Case and Jacob 
Powell were appointed a connnittee for that purpose. No ai-range- 
ment, however, was made with Mr. Hasbrouck, and the sul)iect rested 
until the 20th of June, 1814, when the trustees "Resolved, That we 
will proceed with all convenient speed to supply the inhabitants of 
the village of Newburgh with pure and wholesome water;" and as 
Water street was about to be paved, that water-logs be laid before 
that work was done. In 1815, the dilficulties under which the trus- 
tees labored were partially removed by an amendment to the charter 
of the village by which two thousand dollars could be raised annually 
by tax, for contingent expenses and for the introductit)n of water. 
An eftbrt was then made to purchase a spring- (uvned by Mr. Mande- 
vill, late tlu' [)roperty of Jno. J. Mouell; but it was not successful. 
Nothing further was done till 1816, when the trustees appointed a 
committee to exaniine the wat(>r lots of Jacob Kitchie, in the vicinity 
of Grand and Third sti-eets, for the purpose t)f ascex-taining the extent 
of the supply which could be obtained from that source. Experi- 
ments were made by this connnittee, who subsequently reported that 
the yield was not sutficient. The proposition to take the Cold Spring 
was then renewed, and an agreement was made with Mr. Hasbrouck 
for that purpose. The water was to be taken from a " pen-stock," 
which had been erected on Liberty street for supplying- the bi-ewery 
of Robert Dunlop, and conveyed "from thence down Ann street to 



SUPPLY OF WATER. 241 



(-(ildcii stioct, tliciKU' throiig'li Coldcii and Water .streets as fai' north 
as tlie store of Harris & Millei'."* 

At this stag'e of" tlie |)roeeedin<^'s, the court of chancery (Aut;'. 26, 
1816), on the application of (ileor>;'e Gardner, through whose hinds tiie 
outh't of tlie spring passed, granted an ordcn* restraining tlie trustees 
IVoni I'liitlier action, as, under the act of 1809, they were required to 
leave sutlicieiit water in (lie spring' for the use of tliose interested in 
it as a source of private sup)dy. The trustees referred the subject to 
their counsel, Mr. Henry, of Albany, who, after examining the act, 
advised them that he considered it inexpedient to make a motion to 
dissolve the injunction. The trustees then agreetl (.Ian. 10, 1817,) to 
ask the legislature to "repeal the; act of 1809, and substitute, in lieu 
thereof, a law for the same purpose based upon more just and consti- 
tutional principles as to the mode and extent of contracting' for or 
taking the water to be introduce(l into the villag-e." This action was 
a|iprove(l by the citi/-eiis, at a j)ublic UHM'ting held on the 29tli of 
.Marcii, and the act appliecl for passed the legislature on (lie T(li of 
April. This act authorized the trustees to take, for (he use of the 
village, such sources ot" supfily as they might deem necessary. In 
case of disag'reement with the owm'rs of the [»ro|jerty so taken, the 
subject of damages was to be referred to Win. Thompson, Daniel i). 
Verplanck and Abm. II. Schenck, vvlio siiould fix the amounts to be 
paid. The trustees iminedia(ely made application to Jonathan and 
Eli Hasbiouck, George Gardner, and Patrick McGahey (the guardian 
of the heirs of Charles Mackin), for the sale of their sevcu'al rights in 
the Cold Spring. Jonathan Ilasbrouck demanded $10,000; Eli Ilas- 
iirouck, $5,000, (ieo. (Jardner, $5,000, and the heirs of Charles Mackin, 
$500. The trustees regarding the sums as altogether too larg-e, ap- 
plied to the commissioners named in the act, who awarded to Jona- 
than Ilasbrouck, $2,000; to Eli llaslirouck, $100; to Geo. Gardner, 
$1,500, and to the Mackin heirs, $50. The award was accepted by 
the trustees, and the several sums paid. The deed from Jonathan 
IJashrouck, however, was made subject to a previous contract with 
Rob(n't Dunlop, then held by James Law, for supplying- his brewery 
with water, f The construction of the works was I'esumed, and, 



* " Resolved, That, a committee tte appointed to contract with Jonathan aud Eli Has- 
brouck for the right of entering their pen-stock, which contains the water fr(jui the Cold 
Spring, with an inch auger, and to agree with them for the quantity of water to till said 
hole for the purpose of supplying the village with water, for the term of seven years or 
longer; and that Francis Crawford, Jonathan Carter and John Anderson, Jr., be that com- 
mittee." — Minutes, July G, 181(>. 

"Proposals for digging tlu^ ditch for the logs of the aqueduct by the rod, from the place 
contemplated in the contract with the Messrs. Hasbronck, read. Jiesolved, That the pro- 
posals of William Hill b(; accepted." — Minutes, July 13, 1816. 

' ' Resolved, That a contract be made with Mr. J. Gilcrist for preparing and laying down 
water logs." — Minrdes, July 1.5, 1810. 

t A release was subsequently obtained from J. Beveridge & Co., for the sum of $2,000. 

oi6 



242 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



in addition to those already named. Io<;s were ordered laid thvong'h 
Smith and Liberty streets. In 18H\ tlie leg'islatnre passed an act 
enabling- the ti'iistiH's to fuiHl tlie water debt, tlu'n amounting to 
$5,000.* In 1S21, a larger supply of water being deemed necessary, 
the trustees purehastnl the Ritchie lots, on (irand street, from John 
Ledyard. for tlu' sum of $450; and. in lS-29, sold the property, with 
tlie exception of the spring,! for $4.7 15. Subsequently, an additional 
source of supply was found on the lands of ^Vm. P. C. Smith, and a 
reservoir built near the residiMiee <A' the late Kev. Doet. Johnston. 

Such — with the addition of sev(>ral large n^servoirs — wimx' the New- 
burg'h water works [trior to the introduction of a sujiply from the 
Little I'ond. In regard to this source, it may be remarked, that the 
proposition to secun^ it was iirst made in L^o5. and was renewed, in 
various forms, until its final adoption in 185'2. To trace tlu> several 
plans which wei'c, from time to time, submitted to the public on the 
subject, is unnecessary. It is sutHcient to say, that after a full exami- 
nation of the I'owellton Springs, the (iidneytown Creek, and the Little 
Tend, the people o\' the \illage almost unanimously appnived the latter 
as a source o{' supply; and, in Mnrcii, 1S5-J, an act appointing' com- 
missioners for the purpose' of constructing the \vorks. was passed by 
the legislature. I In accordance with the terms of this act, on the 
report of the counuissioners, an election was held (Nov. 15, 1852), 
when eight hundred and twenty-one ballots w-ere cast for, and sixteen 
against, the plan of supplying the village with water from the Little 
Pond. The works were put under contract in 185o, and $93,97(5.91 
W(>re expended by the I'ommissioners. In addition to this sum. the 
trustees cxptMided in 1852, S950.10; in 1854. $7,007.87; in 1855, 
$2.778.tU); in 185t>, $750. Kl; in 1857, $1,(U(>.88; in 1858, $4,79rt.01: 
in 1859, $l,541.oti; and from March 1st. of the latter y(>ar. until Jan- 
uary 1st, 1860, about, $2,000— making a b.tal of $115,448.75. The 
act, however, contemplated an outlay oi' only $100,000, for which 
sum bonds wer(> issued. 

The works have bt-en materially enlarg'cd since the introduction 
oi' the supply, viz: In I8<i7. by the connection of Silver Creek with 

* The reason asai,£:ned in the petition to thr lesislature for tlio jiassajrcof thij^law. was, 
that "the sreiieral poi-uiiuirv oinli'UTassin<>nt " of the oitizoiis roiuioi'i-cl it " extromoly op- 
pressive to raise tlie money by tax." as retpiireti by the law luiiler whieh the debt had 
lieen ereated. The orij^nial delu. liowever, was subsequently larLrely inereased by expen- 
ditures for other purposes. Havinu: uo power to i-:sue any other Imnds. whei\ money was 
required a " Water Hond " was issued, mitil the debt reael\ed souu- $20,000. 

t Ritehie's sprinji is situated in Third street, between Grand and Liberty streets. At 
the time of its purehase. tlie lots in the vieiiutv were covered with a pond whieh it sup- 
plied. 'When the lots were tilled in and Third street ojiened. the spriii.i:' was arched and 
covered over and its outlet conducted to a reservoir in Liberty street. The water from it 
is now conducted into the sewer in Third street. 

t The commissioners named in the act were Lewis W. YouiiEr, Geortre Cornwell and 
James ISelkuap. Mr. (.'oruwell subsequently resigned, and Eh Hasbronck was appointed 
to fill the vacancy. 



NEW BURGH POST-OFFICE. 243 



Ijittic I'oiid, :iii(l ill 1S72-''^, by tlic liiyiii<»' (if a new main (•oiiiiccliii;;- 
directly witii tlic pond. The total of cxixMidit iiics lor coiiHtnict ion, 
etc., IVoni isr)2 to 1875, wore $3«1, 081.1 (">. In isf.f), the water ivnt.s 
wore $8,8r)l); in 1 875, $29,807.71 . Of all classoH of diHtributing pip(!8 
((exclusive of service ])i|)es) there is a IVac^tioii over cig'litce)i riiilGS. 
Tlic annual repoit of tin; corninissioiicrs, and of Major E. C. Bcjyntoii, 
the 8Up(u-inten(lent, foi' tin; year 1875, supplies ccnnplete details of 
receipts and expenditures. 

NEWBUR(;iI I'OST-OI-'KICE. 

From the destruction by fire of the lecords of the post-office depart- 
ment at Washinj^ton in 188(), it is impossible to ascertain the date of 
the appointment of the first postmaster, or of the establishment of the 
office at Newburf^li. Krom the records of the auditor's office;, in which 
the accounts of th(' jxistmasters are kc-pt, the books of which w(!r(! [)re- 
servcjd, it is ascertained that the; office at N(!wburgli commenccsd nni- 
derinfj^ accounts on the Ist of January, 1796, and that Eben(!/er 
Foot(!* was the first postmaster. It is, ther(!fr)re, presumed that the 
offic(; was (!stablishe(l soin<'time during tlu; month of December, 1795. 
A list of all the postmasters, prior to 1810, is annexed, (lach ap- 
pointee; holding the office up to the time of the rendering of accounts 
by his succ<!Ssor, to wit: 

Ebonezer Footf, from iHt .Tan. 1706. •■ Daniel HirdHall, from 1st Oct, 1802. 

Harry Caldwell, from 1st Oct. 1797. \ ChcHter Olark, froin Iwt July, IHIO. 

The following have l)ceii ap|)ointed since; 1810: 



Aaron Belknap, March 20, 1812. 
Tookcr Wvgant, Nov. 2(;, 18.30. 
A. C. Muliinci-, M;iy 23, 18:};!. 
Benj. H. Mace, Nov. 2:^, 18:}(;. 
Oliver Davis, June 17, 1841. 
JamcH Belknap, May 18, 184:3. 
Samuel W. Eager, Aug. 0, 1849. 



JoHe[)h CaHterline, Jr., May 4, 1853. 
Ezra Farrington, May 22, 18()1. 
Jas. H. R(!eve, Nov.'l, 18(;«. 
Henry Major, May 7, 18(;7.t 
Jos. Loinas, Aug. 22, 18(;7. 
Ezra Farrington, July 19, 1809. 
John C. Adams, April 1, 1875. 



The early mails of the district were carried and letters received 
and delivered by post-riders, who, for their own conv(;nience, as w(;ll 
as for the conv(;nience of those wishing to send l(!tt(;rs, appointeid 
stations for that purpose. The Newburgh station was, for many 
years, at the tavern of Michael Weigand; the New Windsor station, 
at the "Glass House" in the village of New Windsor. Letters were 
left at these stations until callecl for. The Newbin-gh office was the 
first in this section of the county; its delivery included letters for 
Marlborough, I'lattckill, Montgomery, New Windsoi-, etc. 

* Ebonezer Fodtc wiis ;ni oflficcjr of the continental army, and receiver of cattle at Fish- 
kill and Ncwhurgli. Aftcj- the war he located in Newburgh and was one of the rcpre- 
Hcntatives from Ulster county, in the assend)ly, from 1792 to 1797. He removed to Lan- 
singburgh, and was elected to the senate from the middle districit, 1799 to 1802. He was 
a leading member of the masonic fratt^rnity, and a P. M. of the first lodge located in New- 
burgh. 

t A special officer of the post-office department who held the place in consequence of 
the refusal of the senat* to confirm the appointments of President Johnston. 



244 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



COMMERCIAI, RECORD. 

As ourly as ITHT, it is Avritteu in rot>-ard U) the coinnKTCf (if Ncw- 
burgli, tliat "many people from the back parts of tlie country bring 
their produce to send to New York, ha\Mng- at least three boats be- 
longing- to the place that constantly g-o from thence to New York and 
return back again with goods, which creates a very considerable 
trade." The late James Donnelly stated in his recollections: "1 
know nothing about events lu'fore the war of the Kevolution; but I 
have been informed, by those who were old men when I was young, 
that ^[ajor Isaac Belknap sailed a sloop prior to that time. Another 
sloop was sailed by a. Captain Donougiiue, or Donaghy; and another 
by William Harding. Ricliard Buckingham and Lewis Clark eat-Ii 
owned a sloop dni'ing tlie war, but 1 presume they were not in the 
Ntnv York trade. Their sloops and Harding's, however, wei'e I're- 
(piently in the |>iililic service; and just befoi-(> the British sailed up 
the river, they were sent to Albany to c-arry troiips tt> reenforce Geid. 
Gates. It was a fortunat(> occurrence lor their owners, as the British 
would liaA (' destroyed them if they had toujid them here. Their sloojis 
were built at Albany, were of Dutch model, fast sailers and easily 
managed. They were built of red cedar, and w(U"e subsequently 
planked and re-plaid\ed until they were so spike-eaten that nothing 
more C(udd !)(> done with tiiem. There was also a sloop sailed from 
here U> Nantucket, connnanded by Captain Coleman, a native of that 
place; and Major Belknai) and others were engaged in some trading- 
ventures with the West Indies.* Belknap's sloop sailed from Colden's 
dock, and it was here that my father landed on his removal to New- 
burgh in 1714. One of the sloops received part of her cargo at 
Denton's landing near Balmville, and the other at what was after- 
wards Petting-ale's landing near the foot of North street. 

During the Revolution the business was, of course, suspended; and, 
although resumed at the close of tlu^ war, probably was not prosecuted 
to any considerable extent until after 1790. 

The docks which were first built were small and were principally 
located on the west side of what is now called Front street. The 
first dock was unquestiimably that Imilt by Alexander Golden at the 
foot of First street ; and the second, that afterwards owned by Daniel 
Smith at Balmville. Mr. Donnelly stated that, " prior to the war, the 
dock at Balmville was owned by Nehemiah Denton;" and that "the 
Golden dock was then occupied by Isaac Belknap. After the war, 

* The papers of Major Belknap confirm Mr. Dcnnellv in reference to the sloops of 
William Harding, Richard Buckingham and Lewis Clark ; and also show that on the 'iSth 
of Jan. 1771, the sloop Newborn, Isaac Belknap, cajitain : Edniond Jones, mate, and Silas 
Howell, mariner, while on her passa.ge to the Ishvnd of Antigna, was driven on the rocks 
on the west coast of the Island of Bermuda, but, although considerably injured, succeed- 
ed in reaching Mangrovet bav. 



aoMMmciAi nmont). 246 



Benjamin Birdsall occupiod tho Golden dock, and, snbsequently, 
George Gardner. Col. Jonathan Hasbrouck bnilt a small d(K;k — after- 
wards known as the red storehouse — on his own property, just below 
the Head-quarters, for the purpose of reueivnng grain and shipping 
Hour. During the war, tiie continental dock, near the foot of Third 
street, was built for military purposes. During the year in which 
peace was proclaimed, the dock afterwards known as Oakley & 
Davis's was built, together with a storehouse for provisions for the 
army. After the close of the war, David Howell built a dock near 
the foot of Second stnu't. Then came Walsh's dock, now Mailler's, 
and afterwards the do(;k of Jacob and Leonard Carpenter, (now occu- 
pied by Homer Kamsdell & (Jo.) The Oakley & Davis dock was first 
owned by a Mr. Ci'osby, I belicxc. DeWint's dock was the old (Conti- 
nental dock; and John Anderson's dock was just S(mth of Walsh's.* 
The docks were such as we now see occasionally along the river at 
some old brick-yard. A great depth of water was not required, for 
the vessels employed were generally flat-bottomed. " f 

P^'om n98-'99 to 1815, the names of forwarders, captains, and 
vessels are fully set forth in their published advertisements, from 
which the folhtwing facts appear: From Colden's dock, foot of First 
street— Geo. Gardner, 1798 | to 1809; Geo. Gardner & S(m, 1810-'15,§ 
Geo. Gardner & Son, 1822; Henry Robinson, l823-'26; T. Powell & 
Co., 1835-'44; || Reeve, Moore & Co., 1845; Powell, Ramsdell & Co., fall 
of 1845-'57; H. Ramsdell & Co., 1858-'65. From Walsh's dock, foot of 
Third street — Hugh Walsh, Derick Amerman, Crawford & Harris and 
others until 1808, F. Crawford and C. Belknap & Co., 1809-'17; F. & D. 
Crawford, 18n-'30; D. Crawford & Co., 1831-'37; Crawford, Mailler & 
Co., 1838-'54; W. K. Mailler & Co., 1855-'57; W. K. Mailler & Son, 

* Mr. DoiiUL'Uy'a statement does not entirely correspond with the map of the township 
of Washington, given on page 159, b-at the discrepancy probably arises from the fact that 
tlie property subsequently changed hands. For example, lot No. 8 was the original ])ui'- 
chase of Hugh Walsh in 1782, and covered what must have been the continental as well 
as the Oakley & Davis do./V. bot No. 7, 'mmediately south, was owned by Aaron Fair- 
child and covered what was cue Walsh dock (now Mailler's). John McAuley purchased it 
from Fairchild in 1791, and kept store in one of the old army buildings until 1793, when 
he sold to Walsh. Anderson's dock was the next, on the south side of Third street. The 
Crosby pro])erty was immediately north of Fifth street. It would be impossible to locate 
the old docks precisely from present landmarks. The army buildings appear to have been 
the first storehouses. The docks were all west of Front street, and the old storehouses 
were nearly on the present east line of Water street. 

t Ante p. 172, 173. 

X The advertisements of 1798, announce that " Caleb Coffin will continue to sail George 
Gardner's sloop on alternate Fridays : " that " Daniel Smith and William Wilson, owners, 
Daniel Smith, master, will sail the sloop Morning Star, from Daniel Smith's dock, on alter- 
nate Fridays ; t'nat " .Jcdin Anderson wiU sail the sloop Eliza on alternate Tuesdays ; " 
and that "Derick Aniernuin will sail th(! sloop Ceres on alternate Tuesdays.'' The Ceres 
was owned by Hugh Walsh. 

§ Removed to DeWint's dock in consequence of difficulty in access to the dock, but re- 
turned to it in 1822, when its facihties were improved. 

II Mr. Powell erected the storehouse and dock, which subsequently bore his name, tlie 
old storehouse having been destroyed by tire in .June, 1835. 



^240 m:^rnTir OP XE}VBr'RGTT. 

1858-'9; W. 0. MailUn-. lS(iO-'69; W. 0. Maillcr & Co.. l870-'73.* From 
Anderson's dock, foot of Third street — John Anderson, 1798 to 1808. 
From Ludlow's dockf (formerly John Anderst)n's) — Alexander Falls 
and Jonathan Hedges saik-d sloop Favorite, Benj. Case, Jr., master, 
in 1799. Tlieir successors were: Jacob & Thomas Powell, 1802-'13; 
Selah Reeve and Wm. H. Falls, 1814-'24; Selah Reeve & Son, 1825-'2(i; 
Christopher and Geo. Reeve, 1827-'29; C. Reeve, 1831, who sold to T). 
Crawford & Co. From DeWint's dock, north of Third street — Geo. 
Gardner, 1815-'21; Miller & Smith, 18-22-'24; E. Case, 1835; Houston, 
Johnston ct Co., 1838; Christopher Reeve, 1842; Reeve, Moore & Co., 
1843.'44. J From dock foot of Fourth street — Farmer's Company, § 
1806-'13; B. & I. Case, 1814-'20; Abm. Stagg & Co., 1820-'24; John 
Mount & Co., 1825-'26, and by Oakley & Davis, 1827-'39. From Car- 
penter's dock, south of Second street — Caleb Cotlin, 1800; Jacob & 
Leonard Carpenter, and B. Carpenter & Co., 1802-'64; Homer Rams- 
dell & Co., 18()5-'76. From Balmville — Paniel Smith and others until 
1818; H. & J. Butterworth, 1819; Selah Tuttle & Son, 1820, who 
were the last occupants. In 1845, the firm of Wardrop, Smith & 
Co. was org-anized and conmienced business from a dock and store- 
house erected by J. Beveridge & Co. at tlie foot of Fifth street. — 
This tirm was continued until 1858, wlien C. C. Smith sold his interest 
to Hiram Falls. On the death of Mr. Wardrop, the firm was dissolved 
and Falls & Johnston became its successors. On the death of Mr. 
Falls, Johnston & Alsdorf continued the business until 1870, when it 
passed to Alsdorf »&: Skidmore, who sold to Homer Ramsdell, in Feb- 
ruary, 1872, and retired from the trade. On the 1st of February, 
1865, Homer Ramsdell bought the dock propi-rty and barge of B. 
Carpenter & Co., and consolidated the business of that firm with the 
firm of Homer Ramsdell & Co. During the season the large store- 
house of the firm was removed to a new foundation, and the store- 
house of Ramsdell & Co. removed and united with it, forming by far 
the largest and most complete structure on the Hudson. || The firm of 

* The barge Newburgli, tlien owned by this tirm, together with a full cargo of freight, 
and also their storehouse, etc., were destroyed by tire in June, 1873, and at the close of 
season the tirm retired from the freighting business. 

t Robert Ludlow, father of the late Mrs. Thomas Powell, bought the property from 
Water street to the river in 179H, and built a store on Water street and a new dock in the 
rear. During its ownership by the Powells it was called Powells' dock, and subsequently 
Reeve's dock. The old storehouse was moved to Crawford's dock and consolidated with 
that of D. Crawford ^ Co., and was destroyed in the tire of 1872. 

I The DeWint storehouse and the Oakley & Da%-is storehouse adjoining, were destroved 
by tire December 18, 1848. 

§ This company appeai-s to have been a regularly organized association ; its busi- 
ness was conducted by directors who were generally elianged annually. After the disso- 
lution of the company, a similar association was organized l>y an act of incorporation, 
passed by the Legislature, April, 1825. This company orginated, it is said, with Mr. 
Jonathan Hasbrouck, who was its principal manager. The '• Chancellor Livingston " was 
run for a few trips, in the name of the company, from the old red storehouse : and then 
the project was abandoned. " i| .\nte p. 203. 




GEO. OAFDNERS STOREHOUSE. 1708. 
Front-st.. West side. South of First Street. See p. 172, 173, 201, 246. 








s?;,,.^. j;m-:v.. 



^"^■a^v> 






vr~r . 







^t-^r f^- rr r3-x3« 



HOMER RAMSDELL c". CO.S STOREHOUSE, lS/5. 
Front-st . Ejnsl side, bet. Second «nd First. Ante p. CCl, 2Cr. 240. 



COMMERCTAL JiECORB. ' 247 



Homer Ramsdell & Co. is now the only freight line between New- 
burgh and New York; their barges have a carrying capacity of 500 
tons each; their daily freiglits probably exceed the weekly freights 
of twenty years ago, being greatly augmented by the trade of the 
entire eastern division of the Erie railroad. 

The business was conducted entirely by sloops until 1830. The 
introduction of steam vessels, however, was proposed in 1825, at a 
meeting of sloop owners (June 6), and a committee appointed for the 
purpose of making inquiry "relative to the building of a good and 
sufficient steamboat or boats, foi' the purpose of conveying freight oi" 
passengers from this village and landings adjoining." * This action 
was doubtless intended to allay tlie feeling against sloop navigati(jn 
which had grown out ol' the disaster to the " Neptune," in November 
of the previous year.^ Here the matter rested until the winter of 
1829-'30, wlu'n Mr. Ciiristopher Reeve purchased the steamer Balti- 



* A meeting of sloop owners was held June 6, 1825,— Selah Reevo, chairman, and David 
Crawford, secretary,— to consider the expediency of placing a steami)oat on the Newburgh 
line. After discussion, it was " Resolved, That a committee, consisting of James Wiltsie, 
John P. DeWint, Uriah Lockwood, John Wiltsie, Christopher Keeve and David Crawford, 
be authorized to make the necessary inquiry and obtain all the information in their 
power relative to the building of a good and sufficient steamboat or boats, for the pur- 
pose of conveying freight or passengers from this village and landings adjoining." — Index, 
June 7. 

■f- Loss OF THE SLOOP Neptune. — On Nov. 24, about noon, the sloop Neptune on her 
way from New York to this vUlage, a short distance below Pallopel's Island, was upset, 
filled and sunk. At the time of this melancholy event, it is understood she had on board 
from fifty to fifty-five passengers, a majority of whom were drowned. It api)ears that the 
vessel left New York under the command of her first hand, Mr. John Decker, (Capt. Hal- 
stead being detained in the city,) with from forty to fifty tons of plaster and some eight 
or ten tons of merchandise on board. About half of the plaster was put in the hold, and 
the remainder piled on the deck. In the Highlands the wind was high, which induced 
the commander, when below West Point, to take a double reef in the mainsail, and other 
measures of caution for the safe delivery of his charge. When off Little Stony Point, 
with very little way on the vessel, a fiaw struck her and hove her down. This caused the 
plaster on deck to shift fr(im windward to leeward. Most of the male passengers were 
on deck, and one or two of thc^ females, and some ten or twelve women and six or seven 
children in the cabin. The shifting of the plaster created the utmost confusion on board. 
The water rushed into the scuttle of the forecastle, which was to leeward, then into the 
cabin; and consternation, dismay and death presented their appalling features to all on 
board. In a few minutes she filled and plunged headlong to the bottom. All in the cabin 
perished. Those on deck were plunged into a cold and turbulent element or had been 
carried down with the vessel. The boat was afloat, and when the sloop was going down 
was occupied by Decker and Woolsey, but without oars — they were suppued by Mr. 
Storm, whose oyster boat was just ahead of the sloop ; and they made utmost exertions 
to save the unfortunates. Seventeen persons were rescued by them and the other boats 
which came to their assistance ; but the rest perished. 

The following are the names of those who were saved : — John Decker, Levi D. Wool- 
sey, Mr. Thorne, of Newlmrgh ; Joseph Mullock, A. Carey, Jesse Green, of Minnisink ; 
Alfred Crawford, Alexander Crawford, John Rose, of Crawford ; Mr. Sprague, Mrs. Bow- 
ers, Mr- Smiley, Mr. Anderson, of Sullivan county ; Lewis Broom, Patrick Kelly, of Wal- 
kill ; A. Pierson of Montgomery, and a lad from Blooming-ftrove — total, 17. 

The following persons were known to have been on board the sloop : — Mrs. Couch and 
two children, J. Loveland and J. Smiley, of Sullivan county : Mrs. Graham and two 
children, of Crawford ; John Leader, of Blooming-Grove ; Saml. Carlisle, Jacob Polhemus, 
Mrs. McClaughery, of Newburgh ; Mrs. Rush, of Wallkill ; Messrs. McCurdy, Weed, 
Hensler, Mrs. Churchill and Cochrane, of Montgomery ; John Greenleaf, George Evert- 
son, Matilda Helms, William Kelly and child, of Minnisink; Mrs. Dean, of Cornwall, F. W. 
DeCondres and Mrs. Trout of New York — total, 26. It is supposed that a number of others 
were on board, which would make the whole equal to the numijer stated, whose names 
and connections have not yet been discovered. The sloop sunk in fifty or sixty feet water. 
The owners, Messrs. Miller & Smith, succeeded in raising her. — Index, Nov. 1824. 



^48 ' tns TOR Y OP mwn umn. 

nioi-o, wliich was placed on the Newburg'h line in the spring of 1830,* 
and rail from the wharf of the ^[essrs. Reeve and that of D. Crawford 
& Co. Rude in model as was this steamer, her appearance was 
(S^^H^^^ hailed with every demonstration of popnlar xv- 

A,^^_'bi^j^_g^^^_^ t;-ard; the newspapers recorded her advantage's, 
'^ ^-^i^^^^^^ ''^1^ ^^^ brush of the painter traced her outlines 
THE BAI.TIMOKK. I )n iiiaiiv slgii-boards. But her triumph was short; 
her purchase had not been made when Mr. Benjamin Carpenter laid 
the keel, at the ship-yard of Cornelius Carman, Low Point, of the 
steamer William Young'. This vessel was launched July H, 1830, 
and commenced running in September of the same year.f Though of 
nearly the same appearance as tlie Baltimore,, she was regarded as of 
better model, and her owner claimed that she had "power sufficient 
to make her average trips in about six hours"; but his anticipations 
were very far from being realized. 

Messrs. Reeve and Crawford continued the Baltimore one year, 
when, some dissatisfaction arising, Mr. Reeve sold his interest to Mr. 
Crawford, who continued her on the line until 1835, Avhen she was 
transferred to the route between Newburgh and Albany. The Messrs. 
Reeve (1832) supplied the place of the Baltimore in their line, Avith 
the steamer Legislator; and during the same season Oakley & Davis 
put on their line the Providence. | In the summer of 1833, D. Craw^ford 
& Co. built the steamer Washington and commenced rtinning her in 
November of that year.§ This boat was far superior to any in the 
trade, and the competition which she created aroused the energies of 
Mr. Carpenter, who built, in 1835, the James Madis(^n, a boat supe- 
rior in many respects to the Washington; she was the first beain- 
(Migine steamer in the trade. During the same season, Oakley & 
Davis changed the Providence for the Superior; and Mr. Powell, who 
for several years had been living in retirement, now again entered 
the list of competitors, and built the steamer Highlander, wliieh eom- 



* Half of the excellent steamboat Baltimore, has been purcbai^ed bv D. Crawford & 
Co., and we understajid that she will start alternately ti-«m Reeve's and" ft-oni Crawford's 
docks, towing: a sloop and taking: passen.ijers frnrn'oach dock twice a week. We have 
already spoken of a steabnioat in a state of forwardness, owned by Benjamin Carpenter ; 
and probably the other sloop owners will make similar arrangements.— (^o^. Feb. 7, 1830. 

t Thon,2;h not the first steamboat in the Newburgh trade, as bas been claimed, the 
William Young- was the first bnilt expressly for that trade. She was more complete in her 
acconnnodations for passengers than her predecessor, the Baltimore, and had more of the 
character of what was then regarded as a tirst-dass steamer. 

X Farmers and freighters will be abundantly accommodated with steamboats this sea- 
son. In addition to the William Young, wliicli will continue to run fnmi Carpenter's, and 
the Baltimore, which will run this season from Crawford's dock, \nll be added the Legis- 
tor, which will tow from Keeve's dock, and the Providence from Oaklev A- Davis's. We 
understand vessels will depart from this ^^llage on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 
Fridays, and Saturdays. The enterprising spii-it evinced bv these arrangeiiients deserves, 
and Ave confidently \w\w \nll meet with a correspondiiiii liberahtx- from the public- 
Gazette, Feb. -iG, 1832. ' 

§ The Balthuore and the Washington were run bv this firm during the season of 1831:, 



COMMMCtAl nSCORt). 249 



menccd nniiiiiig' in Septpmb(M\ She was a boat of the first class in 
speed, her only rival being- the Rochester, then on the New York and 
Albany line. As their days of sailing- from New York were the same, 
i-acing- was always in order; and the story is, that in ordcM- to settle 
the point oi' speed, a bet of $1000 a side was made. The race came 
oil" and the Hi«^-hlander lost by half a ininnte on a straig-ht run iVoiii 
N<'w York to the Newburg-h wharf. The Oscola, a neat and swift 
craft, next attacked the Hig-hlander. Both boats ran on the morning- 
line — the former from Foughkeepsie, and the latter froin Newbnrg-h 
and Fishkill; but the Highlander was victorious. In 1846, Powell, 
Kamsdell & Co. built the Thomas Powell and placed her on the morn- 
ing line* She was subsequently sold to Capt. Anderson and placiMl 
on the morning liii<' between Rondout and N<'W York, and was the 
last of the \ewburg-h steamers. 

Tlie first barge- — the Minnisink — was placed on the line by Craw- 
ford, Mailler & Co. in 1841, in lieu of the Washington, which was 
put on the New York and Albany line as an opposition boat, and sub- 
sequently sold to the People's Line. In 1842, Christopher Reeve re- 
entered trade with the barge rnion. In 1845, Wardrop, Smith & Co. 
put on the steam-barge Caledonia, and in 1851, the barge Wallkill. 
Johnston & Falls took out the boilers and engine of the Caledonia 
and changed her name to Union, and Alsdorf & Skidmore exhanged 
her for the propeller Thomas McManus, and made three trips a week 
during" the season of 1870-"ri. B. Carpenter & Co. sold the James 
Madison in 1846, and purchased the barge Superior. In 1848, Powell, 
Ramsdell & Co. built the barge Newburgh and substituted her for the 
Highlander; in 1851, they built the barge Susquehanna and run her in 
connection with the Newburgh. Subs('(pu'ntly the Newburgh was 
transferred to Wm. K. Mailler & Co., and the Minnisiid\ to B. Car- 
[X'uter & Co. In 1870, Homer Ramsdell added the barge Charles 
Spear to the line of Homer Kamsdell & Co., who run her in connec- 
tiou with the barges Susquehaiuui and Minin'sink, each boat making 
two tripw a week, forming- a daily line. The latter was withdrawn in 
1813, and daily trips made with the Spear and the Suscjuehanna. 

The early steauilioat captains were: Baltimore, Robert Wardrop, 
1830-'32, SamurMohuson, 1833; William Young, Seth Belknap, 1880, 
Whitehead Halstead, 1831, Charles llalstead, 1833; Providence, Levi 
I). Woolsey, 1831-'33, Samuel H. Logan, 1834; Washington, Robert 
Wardrop, 1834; Superior, James H. Leeds, 1835; Madison, Eli Perry, 
1835; Highlander, Robert Wardrop, 1835. In nearly all cases the 
persons nauied were previously in coimuand of sloops. 



* On the 16th July, 1846, the Thomas Powell made the trip from New York to Newburgh 
ill two ho\irK and forty miiintes runnuig time. 



250 HISTORY OF NEWSUROH. 

Tho coininerce of the city has not been confined to the lines specially 
eng;ag'('d in the New York trade, although that interest has entered 
more directly intd its general business. Sloops and steamers have 
been the Albany trade for many years, and also in connection with 
other points. The iirst steamer on the Albany line was the Baltimore, 
Captain Wm. A. Biillis, in 1835. She was succeeded, in 1839, by the 
Balloon; the latter by the American Eagle, in 1846, and the Eagle by 
the Saratoga. The Constitution ran about eighteen months and then 
formed a daily line with the Eagle. She gave place to the Magenta; 
the latter to the M. Martin, which with the Eagle now compose the line. 
A large number of vessels have been engaged in the lumber and coal 
trade and in general freighting, while the transportation of sawed 
lumber by ships to foreign ports, has taken the place of the ancient 
traffic by which the district was stripped of its primal forests. 

NEWBURGH FERRY. 

On the 2-lth May, 1143, Alexander Colden presented a petition to 
the Hon. George Clark, lieutenant-governor of the provinc^e, and coun- 
cil, ft>r letters patent enabling him to establish a ferry between Xew- 
burgh and Fishkill. This petition, after i-eciting the patent to the 
Palatinates, states: "That as there are now many settlements t)n both 
sides of the Hudson river, persons frequently have occasion to cross 
over from one side of the river to the other, but are often obliged to 
wait a considerable time for a passage over the same, there being no 
ferry established on either side thereof: That your petitioner is willing 
to [trovide proper boats and persons constantly to attend for the trans- 
portation oi' passengers, horses and goods across the said river to and 
from the aforesaid tract of land, now conuuonly called the Newburgh 
Patent; and has obtained liberty of the owners of the land on the 
easterly side of the said river to land or take on board any passen- 
gers that shall have occasion to cross the said river with their horses 
and gttods, whieh will he of great use ;ind benefit to travelers and 
other persons tliat may have occasion to cross said river." The ])v- 
titioner asked tliat the letters patent be issued to himself, his heirs 
and assigns forever, for "all the soil under the water one hundred 
feet into the river from the high-water mark, the whole length of the 
patent ^^219 chains), that he may be enabled to make proper wharves 
and landing places;" and also that "His Honor and the Council" 
should establish " such ferriage fees " as they should deem reasonable. 

The petition was accompanied by a statement showing the " Rates 

heretofore taken bv way of Ferriage for crossing Hudson's river 

above the Highlands," as follows: 

" For every Man and Horse £0 t3s Od 

For every person without a Horse, .- 2 

And if bad weather, a JIan and Horse, 10 " 



NEWBUROH FEliRT. 251 



28 


6 


2 





1 








9 


1 


6 


1 


3 





6 





4 


1 








4 





3 





6 





3 





9 


4 





6 






The following- were the " Rates proposed to be taken: 

"For every Man and Horse, £0 

But if three or more together, for each Man and Horse, 

For a sinjfle person only, 

For each footman, (if three or more together,) 

For every Horse or single beast, 

But if three or more together, for each, 

For every Calf or Hog,' 

For every Sheep or Lamb, 

For evei-y full Bairel, 

For every empty Barrel, 

For every Pail of Butter, 

For every Firkin or Tub of Butter, 

For every bushel of Salt or Grain, 

For every hundred weight of Iron, Lead, &c., 

For every Chaise, Kitteriu or Sleigh, 

For every Wagon and Cart, 

and so in proportion for all things according to their bulk and weight." 

At a meeting of the conneil, May 24th, the patent asked for was 
granted, and the petitioner thereby invested with the " sole keeping 
of a ferry between any and every part of tiie said tract, and for the 
soil under water (so far only as his own land run,) 100 f(M)t into the 
water from high-water mark, under the yearly quit rent of five shil- 
lings " at the "rates proposed to be taken." 

Immediately after receiving the patent. Golden complied with its 
provisions, and continued for several years in the exercise of its privi- 
leges. Sail and row boats were used for the purpose of ferriage; a 
landing place was constructed at the foot of First street, and the en- 
terprise conducted with considerable system. What became of the 
ferry during the Revolution does not appear, but it is presumed that 
it was taken in charge by the quarter-mastei' of the army and was 
known as the continental or public ferry, at which time its place of 
landing was changed from the foot of First street to the north side 
of Third street.* In 1782, the continental ferry appears to have been 
removed to New Windsor, and that this removal, coupled with the fact 
that the Golden charter, as well as all similar grants, was regarded 
as void in consequence of the Revolution, was the occasion of the 
establishment of a new ferry "at Fishkill and Newburgh landings, 
where the public (or continental) ferry was formerly kept," by Peter 
Bogardus of Fishkill, and John Anderson and James Uenton of New- 
burgh, who announced that they had "built boats for the purpose of 
attending said ferry, of the best construction for the transporting of 
wagons and horses, and a good scow for the convenience of trans- 
porting loaded wagons," and that the prices of ferriage would be as 
they were before the war, viz: 

"For a footman, one shilling. Four horse Wagon, fourteen shillings, 

Man and horse, two shillings. Loaded do one pound. 

Two horse Wagon, ten shillings. Phaeton and pair, twelve shillings, 

Loaded do twelve shillings. Ton of Iron, eight shillings, 

Riding Chair, six shillings, | Hogshead of Rum, ^ . . . live shillings, 

and so in proportion for every other article." f 



* Ante p. 172— note p. 176, 200. + Adv. N. Y. Packet, Jixly 4, 1782. 



252 msToti r OP" mwB vnatt. 



Tliis f(H'ry was continued imtil aftor the commencement of the 
present century, when, by virtue of the treaty of peace, the exclu- 
sive right of the Golden charter was recognized, and the new ferry 
merged in that running from Fishkill and New Windsor. The latter 
was ("stablislied by the proprietors of New Windsor in 1*155, and was 
subsequently owned by Martin Wiltsie and Daniel Carpenter.* 

The Colden charter was sold by the heirs of the patentee (Dec. 15, 
1802,) to Leonard Carpenter for the sum of $2,500. On the 24th of 
October, 1804, Leonard Carpenter sold to Jacob Carpenter one half 
of the charter for the sum of $1,250. In August, 1805, the New 
Windsor and the Colden ferries were combined, the joint owners being 
Ijconard and Jacob Carjienter, Martin Wiltsie, Martin Wiltsie, Jr., 
and Peter Bogardus. On the 26th October, 1825, Ann and Catharine 
Bogardus, heirs of Peter Bogardus, sold their interest in the ferr}^ to 
Benjamin Thornc lor $200; and on the 9th of November, Mr. Thorne 
sold the interest thus purchased to J. P. DeWint, for the same sum. 
On the 1st of April, 1826, Bridget, widow of Leonard Carpenter, sold 
to Alexander R. Carpenter her right in the ferry for the sum of $300. 
On the same day, Alexander and Jane B. Carpenter sold to Isaac R. 
Carpenter their interest — the former for the sum of $2,800, and the 
latter for $2,500, the difference in the sums being made by the addi- 
tion of the third held by Mrs. Carpenter to that of Alexander. Isaac 
R. Carpenter was now the owner of the entire interest held by his 
father; to which he added, by purchase, on the 1st of March, 1827, 
from Henry B. Carpenter, the interest formerly held by Jacob Carpen- 
ter. On the 25th P'ebruary, 1832, Mr. Carpenter purchased from the 
heirs of Martin Wiltsie, senr., all the right, title and interest of their 
father, for the sum of $8,000; and sold (Nov. 27,) to John P. DeWint 
one half of the interest purchased, for $6,000. On the 1st of March, 
1833, Martin Wiltsie, Jr., sold to Mr. DeWint and Isaac R. Carpenter, 
by wliom tlic ferry was now conducted in partnership, all his right, 
title and interest for the sum of $5,000; and on the 26tli of March, of 
the same year, ('arpenter purchased the entire right of DeWint, and 
became sole proprietor. On the 1st of May, 1835, Mr. Carpenter sold 
the ferry to Mr. DeWint for the sum of $52,000; and on the 30th of 
May, of the same year, Mr. DeWint sold the. whole to Thomas Powell 
for $80,000. Mr. Powell remained the owner until 1850, when, on the 
I5th of October, by deed of gift, the property passed to liis daughter, 
Mrs. Frances E. L. Ramsdell. 

Sail and row boats alone were used until 1816, when a horse-boat 
was launchedjit Nevvburgh (July 16), and commenced her trips on 
the 8th of August. The Political Index of August 10th, says: " Th(> 
* N. Y. Packet, Jnlv 18, 1782. 



FIRE DEPARTMENT. 258 




teaiii-boat Moses Rogers, passed from this villag-e, on Wednesday last, 
to Fishkill Landing with the folh)wing load — one eoaeli and horses, 
a wagon and horse, seventeen chaises and horses, one horse, and fifty 
passengers." The Rogers was succeeded by a horse-l)oat called the 

Caravan, a tlat-bottomed vessel with a wheel in 
the center. She was run in connection with the 
sail-boat Mentor and the horse-boat Duchess,* 
and was subsequently converted into a steamer 
under the name oi' tlie Jack Downing In 1828 
THE CARAVAN. thc stcamcr Post-Boy was built at Low Point 

and placed on the line. Her engine was made in Philadelphia, f and 
was a very uni(|ue aft'air. Her name was subsequently changed to 
Pluenix. She gave place to the (xold Hunter, wliich was built by 
Mr. Powell on a yard just south of the Bath Hotel. The Fulton, the 
Williamsburgh, and the Union, w('re successively purchased by Mrs. 
Hamsdell, by whom also the present ferry houses wcic ei'ccted. The 
deed from Mr. Carpenter requires the propriett»rs of the ferry to con- 
tinue the landing at the foot of Second street,^ and to preserve an 
open and free passage to and from the public street. 

FIRE nEPARTMENT. 

The tire department of Newburgh was organized under an act of 
the legislature, passed March 24, 1791, by which the inhabitants of 
the town residing east of Liberty street and south of an east and west 
line running six rods north of the Academy, were authorized to <dect 
five trustees, "to be called the Trustees of the P"'ire Company of the 
Village of Newburgh," who should have full j)ower "to luiminate and 
appoint a sufficient number of firemen, not exceeding twent}' to every 
fire engine" then provided or thereafter to be provided for the use of 
the said village, "out of the inhabitants being free-holders or persons 
renting property to the value of one hundred dollars per annum, to 
have the care, management, working and using the said fire engines 



* The Gazette of August 30, 1828, has the following: " The owners of the ferry have built 
a commodious boat to ply between this village and Fishkill. A steam engine i's in prepa- 
ration at Philadelphia, and we are informed that the boat will be in operation about the 
first of October." 

t The Duchess was run from the upper landing at Fishkill to the DeWiiit dock at New- 
burgh at this time. The Index of August 15, 1826, says : " The ferry between this village 
and Fishkill has been greatly improved the present season. The doiible team-boat Cara- 
van continues to ply between the above wharf and the long wharf of Mr. DeWint, and is 
well managed. A new team-boat, the Duchess, has been put in operation from the upper 
landing, and appears also to be well managed. With these two boats and the sail and row 
boats attached to each of the establishments, passengers passing either way can be ac- 
commodated at anj' moment at reduced prices." 

:j: The foot of Second street was selected as the landing place in 1883, as ap])ears from a 
notice in the Gazette: " It must be gratifying to our citizens to learn that arrangements 
are now making to put the ferry between this village and Fishkill Landing u])on a more 
effective footing, and also to make a material reduction in the rates of toll. Another cir- 
cumstance which will have a favorable influence in the comnumication between the two 
shores, is the confining the running the boats between the Ferry Wharf on this shore, and 
the Long Wharf on the Fishkill side." 



254 



HISTOBY OF NEWBUBGH. 



and other instruments." The persons so appointed wen^ to l>e ealUnl 
" the firemen of the viUag'e of Newburg-h;" they were r(>quir(>d "to 
be ready at all fires, as well by nig-ht as by day," and wen^ exempted 
from service as constables or as Jurors of inquest.* Prior to the 
passag'e of this law, thiMv is no record of the existence of an engine, 
or apparatus, or of any organization for the extinguishment of fires, f 
nor is there record of any proceedings under tlu' law, althoug;h it is 
probable that an organization was made in accordance to its terms. 
The act was superseded by the act of incorporation (1800), under 
wMiich the powi-rs which it conferred were vested in the trustees of 
the villagi'. The minutt's of the latter body make no reference to the 
department until May, ISOti, at which time two fire ci)mpanies are of 
record, both fully organized and supplied with eng-ines.J At what 
precise date these companies were organized cannot be shown; but 
from a certificate issued by the btiard of trustees in 1802, § both com- 
panies were clearly in existence at that time, from which fact it may 
be inferred that the trustees of the village found the department 
organized, and simply accepted the work which had been done. 

From May 1806. the reci)rd of the department is essentially com- 
plete. The two companies which were in existence at that time were 
composed of the following members: 



Wm. L. Smith, 
Enoch E. Tilton. 
Wuher Burling, 
Ht'iu\v Tudor, 
Ward M. Gnzlay. 

John Harris, 
Jonathan Fisk, 
John Kic'tiardson, 
Sohxh Rt'eve, 
Joseph Roeve, 
John Aiuh'rson, Jr. 



NO. 1. 

Gilbert N. Clement, Geo. E. Hulse, 
Minaril Harris, John Coleman, 

John Carskaden, John Hoasilaiul, 

Caleb Sutton, Wni. Adee, 

NO. 2. 

Leonard Carpenter, Jonathan Cart«r, 

Jas. Hamilton, Hiram Weller. 

Saml. 1. Gresrory, S.vml. Wright, 

William Gardiner, Hugh Spier, 

Nathl. Burling, Thomas Powell, 

Solomon Sleight, Cornelius Pe^Yitt, 



Andrew Preston, 
Nieholas Wright, 
John Forsvth, 
Walter Case. 



Joseph Hoffman. 
Cadwallader Koe, 
Daniel Niven. Jr. 
Benoni H. Howell, 
S,vlvanus Jessup. 



The house of company No. 1, was ordered established (July 17, 



* Ante p. 164. 

t The Xeirburijh Packet, the lirst newspaper printed in Newburgh, in its issue of Feb. 
20, 1795, gives an aecount of a tire which "broke out in the store of John MoAuley," and 
urges the necessity of having an " engine in town." The absence of an engine is also in- 
ferred in the account of a tire which occiin-ed in the Academy in 179H. 

i There was also an independent organization under the title of "Bagmen," (organized 
in 1805), the members of which company were required to attend all fires for the purpose 
of taking charge of goods, for which purpose each nii'mber was to furnish himself with a 
bag. The unifm-m of the ccunpany consisted of a "hat, the crown thereof to be painted 
white, and the rim or brim thereof black, and a large letter B. black, in ft-ont of the 
crown, standing for Bagman." The officers of the company wore: John McAulav. Fore- 
man; Wm. H. Smith, Secrerary; Alexander Falls, Collector". Private members: Thomas 
S. Lockwood, John Shaw, Robert W. Jmies, John Chambers, Jacob Powell. 

§ This certitieate bears date May 3d, 1802, and is as follows: 

"To Jonathan Fisk— With the consent of a majority of the Trustees of the Village of 
Newburgh, I do hereby appomt you a Fireman in the Company of which Selah Reeve is 
Foreman— according to the direction of the Act of the Legislature of the State of New 
York m such case made and provided. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand 
and the seal of the Village of Newburgh, the third dav of Mav. in the twentv-seventh vear 
of American Independence. * LEVI DODCtfe, P. B. T. ' 



FIRE DEPARTMENT. 255 



1806,) "near tlie huuse of Robert W. Jones, on Eig-lit-rod street;" and 
tlie house of No. 2 (May H, 1810,) was located on "tlie nortli-east 
corner of the Presbyterian church lot."* 

No further reference to these companies appears in the minutes of 
the trustees — except lists of their officers — for several years. On the 
9th of December, 1823, a meeting of citizens was held at Crawford's 
hotel, and a resolution adopted requesting the trustees to "purchase 
a new engine for the protection of the village; against (ire." In 
compliance with this reejuest, the trustees, on the 1st of January 
following, contracted with E. Force, of New York, for a new engine 
at a cost of $750. On the 20th of tlie same month, llicy purchased 
the lot (»n the coriiei' of Montgomery and Second street for the sum of 
$92, and subsequently laid a tax of $1200 foi- the erection of an en- 
gine house thereon and to pay for the engine. Tn addition to this 
sum, the Washington Insurance (<ompany of N. Y., cojitributcd $100; 
the Fulton Insurance C<(mpany, $100; and the North River Insurance 
Company, $50, towards the purchase of the new engine. The new 
engine was completed in March, 1824, and the question at once arose 
among the firemen, which company' slmuld be lionored with its use 
and preservation. After a sharp discussion, the ((uestion was decided 
by the trustees (March 18,) in favor of company No. 1, by the casting- 
vote of the president of the board. The company immediately reor- 
ganized under the title of No. 3, and a new company was soon after 
raised for the old engine. During the same year, the engines were 
removed to the new engiiK^ house. 

The first hook and ladder coni|)any, if such it may !)e called, was 
organized on the 3d of March, 1810, by the addition to the two fire 
companies of eight men,"j' viz: Joseph Carpcmter, Elijah Boardman, 
James Donnelly, BenJ. Anderson, Thos. Phillips, Jr., William Thayer, 
Nathl. Boyd, and Saml. Burtis. This organization continued until 
August 5th, 1828, when three persons wei-e selected from each com- 
pany and a more ind(!pendent organization eftccted. The implements 
of the company wen; hous(;d in a shed which was erected in the rear 
of the engine house. | New ladders, etc., were procured in 1852, and 



* The places designated were the south-west corner of Water and Sontli streets, and 
the north-cast corner of what is now the Union Presbyterian Church lot. The buildings 
were of wood and Uttle if any liettor than common barns. 

t Resolved, That an addition of eiglit men be made to the two tire companies, which 
eight men shall be under a foreman and vice foretniui, and it shall he their duty to take 
in charge the fire hooks and ladders, and exerciser with them each and every day that the 
fire coni|)any No. 2, exercises with their engine — and further, it shall be their duty to 
attend at all fires with their hooks ; and submit, when on duty, to the directions and 
orders of the trustees. — Minutes of Trustees, March 3, 1810. 

i The original engine house did not occujiy the full lot, and a long narrow shed was 
built in the rear, just wide enough to cover the truck, w-hieli wiis a two-wheel affair. The 
meetings of the company were held on the sidewalk. The village authorities were very 
economical and made the most of their room. Under the engine house they constructed 
a reservoir for use in fires. The building was subsequently enlarged. 



25(5 



mSTORY OF NEWBUBGfr. 




WASHI>(iTO>" ENUINE. 



a suitable lioiisc (^iiow the police stutinii) creeted mi l-'iist sticct. 'I'lic 
company has boriu". at ilift'cront tiiiics, tlic iiaincs of " ('liiitoii," * and 
"Brewster," the lattt-i- since April, 1861, in honor of llii-aui S. Brew- 
ster, for several years its foreman. 

In 183ri (May (>). on the petition of John McClelland, das. (4. Clin- 
ton, Francis Bolton, and others, the trustees org-anized Washing-ton 
engine company. No. 4. and ordered a new engine from dames Smith. 

On the Isl of duly, they 
purcliased a lot on Westi'rn 
Avenue, fir $300, on which 
a small. Init then regarded 
as suitable, building was 
erei'ted fir the company. 
riie new engine was de- 
ivered in a rough <"oat of 
laint, and was snbseipient- 
y finished in a very com- 
plete manner at the expense 
of the t'ompany. More modern and of more power than No. 3, it look 
the rank to which it was entitle(l. Song's and music were written 
in its honor; its company overtlowed with the most vigorous (dement 
in the conununity. 

In 1837 (Jidy 4), Niagara engine i'omjtany, No. a, was organizetl 
by tlie trustees, on the petition of Samuel J. Farnuin, Albert Noe, C. 
A. Gardiner, and others. On the 22d of August, a lot was purchased 
on South street, a house was ordered erected thereon, similar in ev(>rv 
respect to that occupied by No. 4, and a contract made for the con- 
struction of an engine. This machine was a duplicat(> of Nt>. 4. and 
the (piestion of superiority led to many spirited contests. 

In 1840. the membership of several of the companies (>xi'(M>ded the 
nundier fixed by the trustees, and it was proposed that the sur])lus 
should be permitted to act as volunteers. The trustees referred the 
subject to a connnittee, who reported (July 18) against the plan. 
This result led to an "indignant parade," on the part of the volun- 
teers of company No. 5; but the excitement soon subsided, and the 
cause of complaint was removed by the adoption (Sept. 14~), on the 
part of the trustees, of a resolution permitting <»ach company to have 
a membership of fifty. 

In 1844 (Aug. •J'i), a meeting- of citizens authmized the purchase 
of a new engine for coujpany No. 3; and the trustees (Dec. 2) con- 
tracted with James Smitli, of New York, f )r its construction. The 



* " Faughlaballa " was painted cm the old truck in contempt of the apiiuiatus of tlie 
company, but was not an establislied name. 



FIRE DEPARTMENT. 257 



cii}i,Miic wiis (li'livcicd ill tlic spriiij;' of 184r), and was liiiislied in an 
cleg-ant inanncr by tlic conipuny. It was tiic liisl "piano" niacliiiic. 
In 184'.», a new cng-inc wa>; piirc-liascd lor company No. 4; and, in 
1S50, one for I'onipaiiy No. 5; botli ol" tlic iinjivovcd style. Tlic engine 
of No. 4 was ag'ain ((xchang-ed in 18(il. 

The Hist liose company was org"ani/ed in 1840. Its oiliceis (.Ian. 1, 
1841) were: William Scott, foreman; llcnsselacr Wliitod, assistant, 
and Abel Belknaji, Jr., s(H'.retary and trcasiirei-. At this time the only 
hose eairiag-c was a "juniper" attached to engine No. 3. The occa- 
sion of its organization was the prior organization by a nnmber of 
boys of a hose company, of which Maxw(dl Wiley was foreman, 
Cornelius (). Madden, assistant, and E. M. Riit-teiil)(!r, secretary, whose 
pnrpose it was to jicrform, in this way, the taking of the "jumper" to 
and from firi'S, to which duty tlu'y were invariably g-enerously assign- 
ed by th(! members of the engMne company. The sages of the corpora- 
tioiihad " no power " to recogni/e boys as members of the dejiart- 
iiiciit, and, lest they should do some niischief, appointed men who, il" 
too old to run with the machine, could see to it that due decorum and 
solemnity was observed in the discharge of that duty. Columbian 
hose is the olTspring of this company. 

The introduction of water from Little Pond brought with it several 
changes in the apparatus of the department. Engine com{)any No. 1 
bccanie E.xcelsioi' hose company, No. 1,* and, in Septeinbcr, 1852, (Jo- 
liiniliia hose company, No. 2. Ringgold hose company, No. 1, was 
organized Pebinary 1, 18r)4. Neptune hose company was organized 
Seplenibcr ('), lsr)S; name chang'cd to Ijconard hose company. No. 8, 
and in I8"i;5, to Leonard steam fire-engine company, No. 2. Chapman 
liusc (•(iiiipaiiy. No. 4, was organized in September, 1859. Cataract 
Knginc eoni))any, No. 3, was changed to Lawson hose company. No. 
o, in 1871, when the engine purt;liased in 1845 was sold. Washing- 
ton engine coinpany, No. 4, was changed to Washington steam lire- 
engine company. No. 4 (now No. 1), in 1872. and the lirst stifam tire- 
engine imrchased by the city assigned to its ('arc. The hand engine 
purchased for the company in 1861, was rebuilt and transferred to 
West Newburgh in charge of Highland engine com|)any. No. 3. The 
engine of No. 5, was sold in 1872, the company having been disbanded 
sometime previously. The department is now coinptised of one hook 
and ladder conijiany, one hand engine com])any, two steam lire-engine 
companies, and four hose companies. The estimated value of the 
[iroperty of the department is $60,000. The steamers now in use 
cost $4,200 each. 

The first engines are remembered by many of our citizens. No. 1 

* This change was in part eftiected in 1840, as above stated. 

017 



258 



HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



Hiitiiuiimur i iniLHummui 




was a plain Dld-fasliioncd macliiiic of vrvy limited puwov. No. 2 was 

what was called a Philadel- 
phia engine; it was manned 
by a double rank of men at 
each end, one I'ank standing 
ill part on the d«»ck and in 
part on a folding" platfonn. 
The maniung force was about 
^^ sixteen, but as the deck men 
ENciNE Ni'MisKit Twt). couM iiot be rclicved when 

tlie engine was in motion, they were of limited usefulness. The forte 
of the engine was in throwing a small stream at what was then re- 
garded as a great distance; it was able to send water and spray 
about ninety feet. Xo. 3 was a heavy machine and the only suction 
engine of the three.* It was the fancy engine of the village, and the 
first to bear a specific name, that of "Cataract." 

The lu)uses now occupied by the department are modern structures. 
The first was erected for Neptune hose company (now Leonard steam- 
er\ in 1859; the lot costing $400 and the house, $l,241.t5. It is of 
brick, two stories, and located on North-Water street. Hook and 
Ladder company and Ringgold hose company were granted new 
building's in 1862. A lot for the former (on Western Avenue) was 
purchased for $600, and for the latter (on Colden street) for $950.f 
The plans of the buildings were by John D. Kelly, architect; the 
contract for erection was awarded to Little & Kelly (June 21, 1862,) 
for $2,835. The house of Hook and Ladder is of brick, two stories; 
that of Ringgold, two stories with l)asement and brown-stone front 
— the latter a contribution by the company. Chapman hose company, 
exchanged the shed on Liberty street, in which it was organized, for 
a new house on St)uth street, in 1863. The lot was purchased (Aug. 
It) for $400; the Iniilding was from plans by J. D. Kelly, and cost 
$1,975.33. \Vashington company's house was enlarged, under con- 
tract with J. 1). Kelly, arcliitect, in June, 1868, at a cost of $608.48. 
The house occupied by Highland company was erected in 1861, under 
contract with Brown c^- McMeekiii, for $2,990; the lot cost $350. The 
ttriginal engine house, so long occupied by engines 1, 2. and 3, though 
cjdarged and improved, yielded to the demand foi' a more fitting struc- 
ture in 1815. The plans foi' the new building were by E. K. Shaw, 
architect, and the work executed undin- contract with Wm. McMeekin. 



* To supply the non-suction engines w ith water, every liouseholder was required 
id keep in readiness for use a certain number of tire-biickets. When a tire occurn 
ickets were brought out and donlile lines of men formed to pass them to and ft 
igines to the source of water snpi)ly. It was not unconnnon to see ladies in th 
igaged in this work, 
t The lot extended to Water street ; the lower part was subsequently sold. 




lAWSON AND COLUMBIAN HOSE HOUSE-1876. 




RINGGOLD HOSE HOUSE-1876, 



FIRE DEPARTMENT. 259 



fur $5,49-1. The lot was cnlarg-cd by tlie purchasi' oi' a-djoiniiig- piop- 
erty at a cost of $1,600. The building- is two stories and basement; 
pressed brick and Ohio-stone trimmings. It supplies accommodations 
for Columbian and Lawson hose companies. 

The members of the lire department have, for many years, been its 
most liberal patrons. Though not contributing- for the purchase of 
apparatus and the erection of houses a sum equal to that raised by 
tax, the amount of their expenditures has been no small item. As 
already shown, all save the first engines, were more or less improved 
by the members of the companies; all have furnished their houses 
with more or less elegance. Full details caimot be supplied; but it 
may be stated in illustration that Ringgold hose paid from its own 
funds, over $1,800 for brown-stone front, furniture, etc., and more re- 
cently gave to the service a carriage for ordinary use; Washington 
company gave $550 towards the cost of their engine in 1861 — the tax 
payers $600, the old engine $450. Lawson hose has its own service 
t-arriage, and has expended about $1,200 for furnishing its new rooms. 

Most of the old customs of the department have iallen entirely into 
disuse. Monthly meetings were held f(jr practice for forty years. On 
these occasions the engines were worked, ladders erected, and imagi- 
nary fires extinguished, with all earnestness. To vai'y the pro- 
gramme, the engines tested their powers with each other in "wash- 
ings," /. f. one received the water of the other and when overflowed 
was beaten; the time was taken in which the result was accomplish- 
ed, and the foundation for a month's discussion and another trial duly 
laid.* Then the distance to which Avater could be thrown was perpet- 
ual strife. The venerable James Powell declared old No. 2 the victor 
in many contests, and would insist that his engine, standing- at the 
United States hotel, could wet the ground nearly to First street, 
though no one believed it. But these contests and the sometimes 
heated discussions which they engendered were swept away and a 
new leaf turned over on the eve of every new year.f Wisely, per- 



* The last contest of this character was between No.'s 3 and i, in First street, opposite 
the old Presbyterian church, in 1850, and came near terminating in a riot. 

t After the election of officers and the transaction of the business incident to the occa- 
sion, tbt; members of the different companies rei)aired to our hotels, and other places of 
entertainment, and celebrated the departure of the old, and the coming of the new year, 
in partaking of excellent suppers. With other gentlemen as guests of company No. i, 
it was our good fortune to have a place among the recipients of the elegant entertain- 
ment provided by " our worthy host" of the Orange. The best feeling prevailed, and the 
wit and sentiment which the occasion elicited were peculiarly appro])riate and happy. An 
excellent song with music, composed expressly for the occasion by S. C. Parmenter, of 
this village, was performed with fine ett'ect. Civilities and comphments wei'e interchanged 
between the different companies through connnittees who passed from one festive board 
to another. Company No. 4, in answer to a polite invitation, made a call in a body on No. 
5, at their cpiarters at Mi-. J. June's, and after the most friendly salutations and senti- 
ments had passed, No. 5 in turn called on No. 4 at the Orange. We are not particularly 
advised as to the enjoyments of the other companies, but pi-esurae that everything passed 
off with the highest satisfaction and pleasure. — Telegraph, Jan. 7, 1841. 



260 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



haps, have these customs of our " rude forefathers " passed away, 
and, doubtless, after us, some purer than those which now prevail, 
" will be shaped out by wiser men than we." 

CHIEF ENGINEER. 

The duties of chief engineer, for several years after tlie organiza- 
tion of the fire department, were performed by the president of the 
board of trustees and by the fire wardens. Benoni IT. Howell, it is 
said, was the first engineer; the date of his appointment is not re- 
corded. He was succeeded by James Belknap, and he by Benj. F. 
Buckingham, who filled the station for six years prior to 1850, when 
William Lisle was appointed. In 1851, the trustees gave to the fire 
department the power to nominate an engineer and two assistants; 
and (May 1), Cicero A. Gardiner was elected chief; and Isaac Wood, 
Jr., and John W. Tliomas, assistants. On the 1st of May, 1853, Isaac 
Wood, Jr., was elected chief; and John W. Thomas and J. A. Mc- 
Cartney, assistants. In 1858, the dei)artment failed t(» elect, and the 
trustees appointed Benj. F. BuckingJiam, chief; and Aiknian Spier 
and Jas. T. Hamilton, assistants In December, 1854. the trustees 
adopted more strict regulations for conducting the nomination, under 
which, in January following, the department elected John K. Lawson, 
chief; and J. A. McCartney and John Proudfoot, assistants. In 1857, 
Joim D. Kelly was elected chief; J. II. H. Chapman, 1st assistant, 
and J. J. S. McCroskery, 2d assistant. In 1859, J. H. H. Chapman, 
chi((f; J. J. 8. McCroskery, 1st assistant, and Hugh McCutcheon, 2d 
assistant. Cliancey M.Leonard was elected chief in 1861, and served 
until 1874, when he was chosen mayor of the city. His assistants 
were: 1861, H. S. Brewster, James C. Taggart; 1863, John B. Stans- 
brough, John W. Forsyth; 1865, John DeLancy, James C. Fanell; 
1866, James T. Van Dalfsen, Arciiibald Hays; 1869, Archibald Hays, 
Patrick Herbert; 1873, Archibald Hays, John Fitchey. In 1874, 
x\rchibald Hays was elected chief; and John Fitchey and 0. S. Hatha- 
way, Jr., assistants. In 1875, William Nixon, chief; and Elkanah K. 
Shaw, Robt. W. Hamilton, and Michael Bariy, assistants. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT FITND. 

In 1851, an incorporation of tlie fire department became necessary, 
in order to make available tlie provisions of an act of the legislature, 
passed the previous year, requiring the payment by insurance compa- 
nies of a certain per centage of their receipts for the benefit of local 
local tire departments. To accomplish this object, the several com- 
panies appointed committees, who agreed to the terms of an act of 
incorporation, which was submitted to the legislature and became a 
law, July 1, 1851. This act directed the organization of a board of 
trustees, composed of representatives from each company, to "manag'e 



PBINCIPAL FIRES. 261 



the affairs and dispose of the funds of the corporation;" and the cor- 
poration, by its by-laws, established a "Fire Department Fund," the 
income of which should be appropriated to the relief of indigent or 
disal)led tiremen, <ir their families, if such cases should arise. This 
fund, on tlie 24th of .Inly, 1851, amounted to $175.68; and, althoug-h 
repeatedly drawn uixui for the purposes for which it was constituted, 
is now about $7,000. 

FIRES. 

The earliest fires of which there are either written or printed records, 
were in the old Academy and in the store of John McAuley. The for- 
mer occurred in 1794, and damaged the building to a considerable ex- 
tent, as appears from the minutes of the trustees of the Glebe; tlie 
latter is briefly referred to in the Newburgh Packet of Feb. 20, 1795, 
and is stated to have been extingiiished "without any material dam- 
age to the building." The annexed particulars, in reference to the 
principal fires which occurred prior to 1860, are copied from the files 
of the papers to which they are credited: 

Aug. 21, 1817 — About two o'clock, on Thursday juorniug last, a fire accidentally broke 
out in the book-bindery of Mr. B. F. Lewis, in a block of wooden buildings — nearly all of 
it, which fronted on Water street, was consumed. The following is as accurate" an ac- 
count of the loss sustained as we have been able to collect. 

Commencing then, at the corner of Water and Third streets, the first foiu" stores were 
owned by Messrs. Eeeve & Falls, and were entirely consumed — the first was occupied by 
them as a store, and dwelling house for Mr. Falls.* A large portion of their goods in .store 
and Mr. Falls' furniture was saved— their loss altogether is estimated at about five thou- 
sand dollars ; a part of this loss was insured. The next store was occupied by Mr. Robert 
Lawson as a saddler's shop — nearly all his goods were saved — he lost about three hundred 
dollars. The next store was occupied by Mr. B. F. Lewis as a book store and bindery. 
As the fire commenced in the bindery on the second floor, every article in it was coii- 
sumed ; in the story below nearly all the bound books were removed and saved ; a quan- 
tity of sheet work consumed — amount not ascertained. The last store of Reeve & Falls 
was occupied by Messrs. Lawson & Rabb as a hardware and grocery store ; a large por- 
lion of their goods removed — loss about three hundred dollars. 

The next fifty feet of building was occupied by Mrs. DeGrove, and in part occupied by 
her as a dwelling, the whole of which was lost — amount not ascertained. Jonathan Carter 
occupied a part of this building as a tobacconist shop and dwelling house — the principal 
part of his goods saved — his loss about five hundred dollars. Mrs. Randol and Miss Mer- 
ritt occupied a room under Mrs. DeGrove's roof, as a milliner's shop — goods removed and 
very httle loss sustained. The next house was owned by Messrs. Forsyth & Bryam, and 
occupied by the latter as a bakery ; there was little property in the house — the' building 
and all destroyed together. The' next house was occupied "by Mr. E. Sanxay, as a tailor 
shop — his goods were saved and the house pulled down. The next house, owned by Mr. 
Owen BIcGahey, and occupied by George Meckleni as a shoemaker's shop, was nearly 
pulled down. And here, in the midst of a solid block of wooden buildings fronting on 
Water street, with a number of valuable stores in the rear, by the extraordinary activity 
of the firemen and citizens, the flames were allaj-ed and finally extinguished. — Index. 

Feb. 15, 1821.— A fire broke out about 4 o'clock on Wednesday morning last, in the row 
of wooden Ijuildings N. W. corner of Water and First streets," in this village, owned by 
Mr. .John D. Lawson, which were entirely consumed. They were tenanted l^y William 
King, band-box maker ; Lawson jt Buckingham, saddlers ; David Wright, tailor ; John 
Van Nort, baker ; Messrs. Belknaps, tallow chandlers ; James B. Reynolds, tailor ; Adna 
Treat, looking-glass maker ; Michael Bird and John Pope, Jun., grocers. The fire acci- 
dentally originated in the shop of Lawson & Buckingham, fi-om which nothing was saved. 
The Messrs. Belknap saved nearly all their goods, as did Mr. Wright and Mr. Reynolds ; 
from the o+lier tenements very httle was saved. The buildings were all of wood, and the 
fire had made such progress before it was discovered, that it was impossible to save any 
part of them. — Index. 

* Industry. — Only seven days had elapsed after the fire before we were called upon to 
witness the laying of the corner stone of two brick stores, by Messrs. Reeve & Falls. The 
stone was laid on Thursday, Aug. 28, with appropriate ceremonies, and contains an in- 
scription in commemoration of the fire. — Index, Sept. 2, 1817; 



202 HISTORY OF NEWBUBGH. 



Feb. 25, 1835. — George Gardner's old storehouse was destroyed by fire on Wednesday 
eveninfr, Feb. 25, 1835. It was occupied by Steplien Hayt and Wiiliani Teller for the storage 
of Inmher in connection with their lumberyard adjoining. 

Oct. 11, 183(). — On Tuesday morning last, at aV)out half-past 4 o'clock, a tire broke out 
in this village in the Steam Grist Mill, at the south end of Golden street, belonging to and 
just erected and put in o])eration by Edward Haslehurst. The mill, machinery, &c., were 
consumed, with the two buildings v.hich they occnjiied, and a blacksmith's shop and 
many of its tools, adjoining, belonging to Mr. J. M. Smith. Mr. Smith's loss has been es- 
timated at about !?500--no insurance. The mill tixtures, grain, &c., of Mr. Haslehurst, 
may have been worth f^KiOO— insm-ance only $'300. The buildings occupied by the mill 
were ownt^d by Richard Williams, and were probably worth $500 — insurance $300. — TeL 

Jan. 19, 1837. — On Friday night last, a tire broke out in the store of William Danskin, 
toy and fancy dealer, near the center of a wooden block belonging to J. P. DeWint, Esq., 
between the Orange Hotel and the Newbargh Bank. Mr. Danskin barely escaped with 
his family, leaving clothes and all else to the devouring element. Partly insured. Dr. 
Wm. Johnson's office and drug shop adjoining on the south — all lost. No insurance. Wm. 
B. Jarvis, hatter, next south, escaped with his family and the largest portion of his stock, 
but with the loss of all his furniture, clothing, and $100 in cash. Partly insured. John 
McCroskery, grocer, lost his whole stock of goods, tixtures, &c., save $60 or $70 worth. 
No insurance. N. P. Emmett's bakery and dwelling, with almost their entire contents, 
were destroyed. No insurance. Mrs. Harrison, toy and fancy dealer, saved nearly her 
entire stock. Teller & Bloomfield. leather dealers, saved most of their stock. Wm. G. 
Gillespie, cabinet-maker, adjoining the Bank, saved most of his stock — Tel. 

Au(t. 27, 1847. — Our village was visited by a disastrous fire on the morning of Saturday 
last. It itroke out at half-past 2, in the stables south of Blizard"s hotel, in Front street, 
and spreading to the adjoining buildings soon consumed the south end of the block on 
First, between Front and Water streets. The loss amounts to some f30,000, on which 
there was an insurance of $13,900. The buildings destroyed were owned by Thos. Pow- 
ell, A. il- M. H. Belknap, Daniel Farrmgton and John Ledyard. Those of the Messrs. 
Belknap and Farrington wei-e valuable. Several shop-keepers aud mechanics have met 
with, for them, heavy losses, among whom are Daniel Farrington, Jr., painter ; J. McFar- 
lan, chair maker ; J. B. Grummun, hardware ; A. Dezendort, carpenter ; J. Lynch, black- 
smith ; Mrs. Strachan, miUinery. — Tel. 

Oct. 8, 1848. — About 9 o'clock on Tuesday evening last, a tire broke (uit in this village, 
in the stables of the Union Hotel, in Front 'street, owned by D. Crawford and occupied by 
John Richards. Mr. R. loses upwards of 500 bushels of oats and several tons of hay, 
upon which there was no insurance. The loss on the stables is fully covered by insur- 
ance. From the stables the fire communicated to the rear of the buildings contiguous on 
Water street, occupied by Chas. H. Hasbrouck, dry goods ; C. W. Post, dry goods : Mr. 
Jarvis, hat store : Jno. W. Warren, shoe store ; and Sands iV Raymond, superintended by 
Chas. firwin, hat store ; and theii- stocks of goods were materially injured by water and 
by removal. The whole amount of damage, we presume, will not reach $8,000, and is 
covered by insurance, except the loss sustained by Mr. Young. Stephen Hayt and seve- 
ral others were i)ut to some loss and a great deal of inconvenience by a removal of their 
effects, among whom were Fullerton & Fowler, law ofhce, and the proprietor of this paper. 
— TeL 

Dec. 17, 1848. — Alarge frame building on Front street, in this tillage, formerly occupied 
by Oakley & Davis, but at the time in part by Mr. Charles Barnes as a grocery, and in part 
by Capt. Bullis as a storehouse, was destroyed by tire on Tuesday morning. The build- 
ing belonged to the Highland Bank, and was insured for $2,400, which fidly covers the 
loss. Mr. Barnes was insured for $1,500. Several persons had articles on storage in the 
building, most of which they lost, amounting perhaps to 1500. — Tel. 

The principal fives of more recent date* have been: 

IMakch 1, 1865 — Washington Iron-works ; loss 135,000. The fire originated in the tool- 
room of the boiler shop ; the w'hole structure, covering a space of neai'ly two hundred 
feet, was burned to the gnnind in about an lumr. 

Dec. 15, 1865 — Washington Iron-works : loss $45,000. This fire also consumed the old 
Bath Hotel and the carpenter shop of T. Shaw & St)ns. 

April 11, 1867— Washington Iron-works ; loss $100,000. 

July 11, 1869— Plaster mill of Brown & Embler ; loss $14,000. 

Dec. 17, 1870— Washington Iron-Works ; loss, to Homer Ramsdell, owner, $150,000 ; to 
Alex. Cauldwell, boiler shop adjoining, $17,000; Geo. L. Monell, brass castings works, 
$8,500, and $200 to the ship-yard of A. BuUman. 

July 15, 1871 — Saw Mill and three dwellings of James Bigler, South-Water street ; loss 
$65,000. 

Sept. 22, 1871— Boiler shop of Alex. Cauldwell, 102 and 104 Front street ; loss $25,000. 
The fire extended to 106 and 100 Front street, with a loss of about $3,000. 



* Since 1870, a record of fires has been pubUshed in the reports of the chief engineer of 
the tire department, to which reference may be had. 



REGATTA ASSOCIATION. 2n8 



Dec. 1, 1871— United States Hotel, Front street; loss to Mr. Ramsdell, owner, $6,000 ; 
to aoodscll brothers, lessees, $5,800 ; Victor Scharps, clothing, $2,218 ; Thos. .Jessnp, 
teas, $1,000. 

Dec. 2, 1871— Stables, Ferry street ; loss to Mr. Ramsdell, owner, $1,500 ; Beede & Van 
Dnzer, lessees, $4,500. 

May 9, 1872— Foundry of Clark * Kimball ; loss $4,000. 

June 9, 1873— Building, stock, barge, etc., of W. O. MalUer & Co.; loss $76,700. Losses 
on buildings, etc., adjacent, $36,248.97. 

July 16, 1873— Building, etc., of J. H. Matthews, corner Soutli and Water: loss $3,500. 

July 17, 1873— Erie R. R. company's work-sbop ; loss $3,000. 

Nov. 8, 1873— Second M. E. Clnu'cb ; loss $2,500. 

July 17, 1874— Haigh & Mellor's mills ; loss $17,000. 

July 26, 1874— Wrigbt Engine-works (Homer Ramsdell owner); loss $77,000. 

April 28, 1875— Homer Ramsdell, out-storehouse ; loss $4,286. Losses on goods in 
store by dittcrent parties, $12,016. 

The losses by fire and tlie aiiiouuts received i'or insurance, for years 

ending- April 1st nnd June 1st, since ISlil, liave been as lollows: 

YEAK. LOSS. INSURANCE. 

1862 $24,359.00 $10,744.00— Year ending April 1st. 

1863 15,932.88 9,124.00 

1864 3,512.00 3,082.00 

1865 52,918.00 26,753.00 

1866 72,966.00 41,071 .00— To June 1st. 

1867 113.252.00 .58,152.00— Year ending June 1st. 

1868 3,620.00 1,837.00 

1869 9,850.00 2,420.00 

187(1 27,950.75 15,638.08 

1871 187,871.00 92,011.00 " " 

1872 140.701.50 85,454.50 " '■ 

1873 11,971.40 6,674.95 " 

1874 205,300.00 128,892.21 " " 

1875 1.36,777.00 118,260.00 



O Total, 15 yrs. .n,006,981.53 .$600,113.74 

NEWBUR(JH RK(;aTT.\ ASSOCIATION. 

The Newburgh Regatta Association was organized in the spring of 
183t, through the exertions of Capt. Henry Robinson, ('apt. Charles 
Ludlow was elected president, and J. J. Monell, secretary. The first 
regatta took place June 27, 1837, when the following four-oared boats 
were entered, viz: 

1. Gazelle, scarlet, red and white dress, red and white cap, New York. 

2. Hi(/hian(l Wave, black, whiter dress, blue and white cap, Newbnrgh. 

3. GuU, blue, blue and white dress, straw hat, New York. 

4. Wave, black, blue and white dress, blue and white cap, New York. 

5. Halcyon., green, green and white dress, blue and white cap. New York. 
,6. Pearl, white, blue and white checked dress, straw hat, New York. 

7. Minerva, East India Particular, red and white dress, red and white cap. New York. 

8. (Jorsair, black, green and white dress, red cap, Newburgh. 

The distance rowed was five miles, and the time made by the win- 
ning boats !is follows, viz: Wave, 32m. 88s.; Gull, 33m. 38s.; Corsair, 
35m. The prizes were awarded by J. ,1. Monell, wlio delivered an 
appropriate address on the occasion. 

The regatta of 1838 was for the benefit of the Newburgh Library 
Association. The following were tlie Ixtats entered, viz: Galatea, 
Highland Wave, ('orsair, and Scilla. Time: Galatea, 24m. 35s.; 
Wave, 24m. 50s.; (Jorsair, 25m. 4(>s.; Scilla, 27m. Another regatta 
was held in lS3y, l»nt tln^ record has not been ])i'esei'v<'d. 



264 HISTORY OF NEWBUROH. 

Tho Association was reorganized in 1856, and a reg-atta was held 
July 4th, of that year. Three races were run, viz: By fonr-oared 
boats; donble-scull boats, and single-scull boats. For the first race, 
the W. H. Terboss, the Jacob Swartzer, and the Whitehall, of Ne^v 
York, and the Witch of tlie Wave, of Cold Spring, were entered. 
The first prize was taken by the Terboss in 2t minutes; the second 
by the Swartzer in 27^ minutes, and the third by the Whitehall. For 
the second race, the Enoch Carter, the T. C. Ring-, the Geo. W. Shaw, 
the S. Roach, and the Fanny Fern, w(M-e entered. The first prize was 
won by the Carter in 30 minutes, the second by the Ring and the third 
b}^ the Shaw. The third race was won bj' the Gale in 36 minutes. 

The regatta of the Associatiim on the 4th of July, 1857, was one 
of more than usual historic interest from the fact that it was the 
occasion of the ddnd of the famous oarsmen, doshua and William 11. 
Ward. The race was a double-scull, and the distance full four miles. 
The Wards rowed in tlie Fanny Fern, and carried ofi" the first prize; 
time 38 minutes and 30 seconds. Tlie regattas of the Association 
were among the first on the Hudson, and from them and the oarsmen 
which they developed sprang, in a great measure, all the princi]>al 
cont(>sts which have occurred in this country, whetlun- local or intc^-- 
national.* 

NEWBURGH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

The first Horticultural society of Xewburgh was organized Jan- 
uary 13, 1829 — Rev. John Brown, president; Selah Reeve and William 
Roe, vice presidents; Aarim Belknap, treasurer; Jno. W. K novels, 
corresponding secretary; Tooker Wygant, recording secretary. The 
first exhibition of the society was held August 28, 1829, when pre- 
miums were awarded for twenty-four diflerent kinds of culinary vee,-- 
('tables, and also for melons, grapes, peatdies, and twenty specimens 
of fiowers. Tiie officers for the succeeding year were: Kev. John 
BroAvn, president; David Ruggles and Charles Ludlow, vice presi- 
dents; the other ofiicers remaining as during the previous year. The 
society continued annual exhibitions for several years, but ultimately 
ceased. Its successor, the Newburgh Bay Horticultural Society, was 
organiz(>d in 1862 — H. W. Sargeant, president; Odell S. Hathaway, 
and lvob(>rt Sterling, vice presidents; Alfred Post, treasurer; K. W. 
Gray, recording secretary; J. C. Rennison, corresponding secretary. 
The society has held annual and semi-annual exhibitions since its 
organization, and developed a jneviously latent interest in the higher 
branches of gard(>n culture. 



* the Ward brothers, William H., Joshua, Gilbert and Ellis F., defeated two picked 
English crows 111 the international regatta at Sarato.ga, Sei)t. 11, 1871. Joshua was the 
winner of tin- chainpit)n helt in the contest off Stateii Island, October 11th. ISoit. Walter 
Brown and John Haneon were also pupils in the regattas of the Association. 



MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 265 



MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 

Newbnrgh received its first carpenter, its first l)lacksmitli, its first 
weaver, and its first stocking-maker, with tlic f'alatine imiiiigraiits. 
Their successors and those wlio were eng-agcil in othei' mechanical 
pursuits prior to about the conunencenieiit u\' the present century, are 
liuried witli the records of the pioneer era, except as here and there 
preserve(l by tradition. Beyond tliat of" carpenters, blacksmiths, and 
a few other trades, however, the uumlicr of niechaiiics was limitcHl. 
Gnnit Britain, the mother country, would not permit the colonists to 
eng-age in manufacturing' to any extent; whatever the settlers re- 
(piired llicy were oblig-ed to import or supply by domestic substitutes. 
The wives and daughters spun the yarn and tiie flax, wove and colored 
the (loth and made the clothing; the leach-tub was more familiar in 
the door-yard than the rose bush, and, with llie refuse fats of the 
tables, furnished the soaps; candles were also the product of the 
household. Shoes were wrought by shoe-makers wiio visited the 
houses ol' their customers. 'i'lie farmer made his own sleds and 
carts, and in most cases was the architect and the Imilder oi' his own 
dwelling and outhouses. Passing this era and considering that by 
which it was succeeded, we have, since 1795, an approximately cor- 
rect record of the introduction of mechanical industries.* 

John Hairis had the first shop for the manufacture and sale of 
hats. He rented the old Belknaji house (adjoining the whaling com- 
pany's storehouse oti the north) in 1195; his shop was in the l)asement 
on the east side, which then I'ronted the thoroughfare leading to the 
dock. Jonathan Butler was the next, in ISOI. Harris sohl his busi- 
ness (1810) to Minard Harris and David Sands, who c<(ntinued it for 
several years. It then ])asse(l to David Sands, who may be claimed 
as the founder ol' the more modern oi'der of hat stores; in 1S30, he 
was selling " Synun's splendid satin beaver hats for live dollars, and 
a beautiful hat at lour dollars." David M. 11. Sands continued the 
business of his father for some years. While hat stores are now 
abundant, but one practical hatter remains. 

Shoe making passed from Richard Hikeman and Josejjh Albertson, 
in the days of tin- Revolution, to Welch A: Rierson (Henry Welch and 
Caleb Pierson) in 1198. Their shop was the first in which shoes were 
kept for sale. Joseph Norman and James Curry commenced in 1803. 
The former imide a specialty of ladies' shoes, which he supplied "by 
the dozen at New York prices," but the business of the place was so 
light that his shop was not kept open in winter. Saml. (). Gregory 
was in the business soon after, and Samuel McCartney, (Jeorge Meck- 



*• It is not (IcKigiKid to embracer the namt^s of all jjcrsoiis who liave beeu engaged in 
mechanical business ; such a record would bo inipossible. 



2fi6 mSTOBY OF NEWBUHGTi. 

l(Mn, Milcis WtuTcii and Thomas Bartlett. were subsequently am()n,a:the 
principal makers and dealers; the latter commencing- in 1832. 

Marsh & Ferris were the first tailors (about 1798); Daniel Niven 
came next, in 1799. James B. Reynolds, David Wrig-ht, Edmund 
Sanxay, Isaac Egbert, and Reuben S. Close, Avere in the business soon 
alter the conniiencement of the centnry, and after trying it alone, 
niiite(l in partnershi]* in 1811, under the title of Reynolds, Wright & 
Co. They afterwards dissolved and went tlieir several ways. Ed- 
mund Sanxay subsequently (1832) established iiims(df in the store 
now kept by his grandson, W. B. Sanxay, where lie carried on tailor- 
ing and sold groceries and liquors. William lloyle was in Itnsiness 
in 1830, and was sui'ceeded by his son, Mark C. Hoyle. William 
Sterling, as a tailor and dealer in second-hand clothing, founded the 
estal)lishment of A. & R. Sterling. Ready-made clothing was broug'ht 
in by Levi Hart in 1832. 

Watches and clocks came in 1800, when C!eorg'e (iordoii, who sub- 
scribed himself "from Ireland," connnenced watch making in a build- 
ing on the site now occupied by (-hapman's drug store; he removed to 
the south-west t-orner of Water and Second street, "where he remained 
for a quarter of a century. Ebenezer B. Ayres also coinmenced the 
Inisiness in 1800, and .loseph Reeve in 1804. The latter continued for 
a short time and then took up the manufacture of whalebone whips 
in ctumection with it; he also sold military goods antl groceries. 
His sou, Chas. Reeve, was his successor; he reuioved the business to 
"his new store, 55 Water street, next door south of Brown's hardwai'c 
store," in 1832, where he continued until his deatii. Henry B. Myer 
(father of the distinguishetl chief of the Signal Bureau at Washing-ton) 
was in business in 1820; his shop was on the north-west corner of 
Water and Second street. His successor was Benoni H. Howell, and 
Nelson Haight succeeded Mr. Howell. Tobias 1). Lander was in the 
trade here in I82(i; in 1835, he occupied pint of what is now No. 74 
Water street. 

Hem-y W. Crissey was a "Fancy and Windsor chair maker," iu 
Second street, "two doors west of llolfman & Roe's drug: store," in 
1809. Hugh Spier was the first cabinet-maker (1788) and also the 
lirst undertaker; he was in business in 1801, o)i the corner of Smith 
and Second street, "at the sign of the cradle and coffin." William 
Scott and Thomas A. Powell were next; the business of the latb'r 
has come down to tin; present generation. 

Selah R(>eve started in business life in 1799, as a manufacturer of 
earthen wares, and subse(piently continued it under the firm of Keeve 
& Burling (1803). lie established a crockery store in Wab-r stre(>t 
soon alter; the latter business has come down hy regulai- succession 



• 



MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES. 267 



tf) James E. Horton. The pottery of the firm (on Smith str(>et near 
South) was continued for a quarter of a century. 

.lolin Patterson was the first tin-plate worker and copper-smith in 
1791. The copper-smithino' brancli of the trade was for many yeai's 
a principal item, as it embraced the manuCiK-tnre and repair of the 
vessels and apparatus in use in distilleries in ihe district. Pell & 
Wood, David Pliillips and Phillips & Lomas, were tlie next. 

Robert Ferguson commenced the stone-cutting business on llen- 
wick's dock in 1798, and John Currie on Gardner's dock in 1802; and 
furnished the grave-stones for tlieir eont<'ni])oraries. Thornton M. 
Niven and Peter Kay performed the same duty in later years. 

The baking business runs back to 1791), when .Fohn and Joseph 
Hoffman opened a sliop on the east side (•!' Water street near Second, 
and sohl nuts, fruits Miid confections in connection with cake and 
bread. In 1804 the jiartnershi]) was dissolved, and Jctsepli started on 
his own account on th(! op|)osite side of the street, and remained there 
until his deatli. During the later years (if iiis life his son-in-law, 
l^addock Chapman, was his associate. Alter Mr. Hoflinan's death, 
Mr. Chapman continued the business in company with his son, J. H. 
H. Chapman, who subsequently became the successdr of the firm of I*. 
Chapman & Son. Mr. Bryam was the success(tr of .bihn Hoffman at 
his old stand, dolin Van Nort was the next l)aker. 

Peter Banncn had a shop for the manufacture of soap and candles, 
"in the north part of ^Vater street," in 1804; but it is said that an 
earlier one was founded by Abel Belknap near or on the corner of 
what is now Water and First street. Mr. Belknap's successors, on his 
death in 1804, were his sons, Abel and Moses H., who continued the 
business until 1855, when, on the death of the latter (his brother Abel 
having died the previous year), the property passed to his heirs. It 
is now conducted by his grandson, Moses C. Belknap, in partnership 
with Mr. McCann. Robert and John McCutclieon engaged in the 
business on Golden street, and James McConkey on Western Avenue, 
some years after the Belknaps. The business of the former descended 
to Hugh McCutclieon, and that Mr. McConkey was purchased by John 
McCutcheon and continued until his death. 

The manufacture of tobacco was commenced by Matthew DuBois in 
May, 1799, "in Smith street, next door south of Heiny Brewster's 
tavern;"* and in July of the same year, by Jonathan Carter in Water 
street, " next door to the Hofi'mans." The latter has had reg-tdar 
succession on the original site — Win. M. Wiley, Enoch ('arter, ('artei- 
& McCann, Alex. McCann, and .1. W. McCullough. 



* The north end of Smith street was quit(! a buniness phice at this time. It had a tavern, 
a pottery, a tobacconist, and a wagon-wright. 



0(58 mf^rORY OF NEWBUROH. 



Joliii ro(i|>ri- was the liist hrowcr ol" alt's. ITtM'onuiuMU'cd tli(> busi- 
ness in 1804, in " \\ atcr street, near Lawson I'V: Ounnelly's tan-yard." 
James I>nnla|> was the next; he t>reete(l the nialt-hinise on Ijihertv 
street, eoiiier nt' W'ashinnion. -lanuvs Law was the associate ol' Mi-. 
I>nnhi|i I'orsoine time [trior to 181(), and became his sneeessor dnrinn' 
that year. Jolm Heveridii'e was Mr. Law's associate in IS'2'2. Jolin 
l'\irs_vth was added to the tirm in 18^5. and its tith' ehanu'ed to Law, 
Heveridii'e A: Co. On the death ol' Mv. l^aw, the hnsiness was continned 
by ins snrviviiii;' partners and Iv Ward l'\irrin>;'ton nmh'r the title of 
J. Beveridji'e \' Co. Kohert .\. Korsytli, Thonuis Heveridu'e and donas 
Williams sneeeeded the old linn; the bnsiness is now condneted by 
the two last named L;-enllemen. The malt-honse at the loot o[' Clinton 
street was oei'n|>i(Hl by Ledyard & IbiHois in 18"22. and eonstitnted on(> 
ol" the thriH> Incweries of that time, dohn Howard started a brew(>rv 
in the oM whalinu' storelionse abont IStU). lie nnide a small I'orlnne 
dnrinu' the war of the rebellion, and abandoned the trade and retnrned 
to Kni^dand. Others ha\'e l>een in the bnsiness. bnt withoni snt'Ct^ss. 

\Vm. r. l)odo-e was the tirst saddle and harness maker, in \1W. 
and Henry Tndoi- was his snecessor. John !>. Lawson was their eoii- 
temptirary. IJoIm. Lawson (^18U)), B. F. Huckino-hani, Lewis denning-s 
and John IL Wiltsie brouii'ht the trade down the prestmt u'eneration. 

The lirst tanner was IMiineas Howell; the lirst cnrrier Teler Hon- 
ludly. The lormer had his shop on the noilji-west corner of Smith and 
Tliird street. In 1804. John !>. Lawson ami Jas. nonnelly condneted 
(in partncrsldpV the bnsim-ss o\' tanners and cnrriers al ihe yai'd 
subsctpiently owned by |)a\ id H. Hartday. The partnership was di.s- 
solved soon after, and .Mr. Doniudly established a new yard; William 
Mathewson was his associate in 1811. and James Wood in 181ti. 
The latter sold i,, Jenathan Kanlkner in 1820; Donnelly \ Kanlkiun- 
sold to Samnel J. I'annnn and (ieorp- Sonlhwick about I82il: Sonth- 
wick sold his half to Lewis Jenning-s in 1882. Mr. Jennings sidisi'- 
quiMitly purchased Mr. Larnnm's inti-rest. and at a later period had 
Mr. !McKinstry for his associate. The oriudnal Lawson A: Honiudly 
yard was purchast-d by Saml. (i. Snedcn and David 11. Barclay in the 
spring of 1824. and coutimu-d as a morot'co factory. .Mr. SnediMi died 
HI 1886. and Mr. Barclay sold to James Dicki-y in 18T0. Their prede- 
cessors in the trade were Knos Kandol and Josiah BraiduMt, in 181(>. 

N cry lew of the ancient honses of Newlnn;i;-h were painted; that 
luxury Ci.nld not be atVorded liy the inhabitants u'cnerally. nor was it 
the fashion ,.f tlu' times. What [Kiintiiij;- was done was usually per- 
tonned by carpiMiters, who also nnule the doors and sash and •• set the 
.ii-lass." Painting- and .u-laziuii-. as a distinct branch of mechaincal in- 
dustry, was iirst c..nductcd (K^04) by Sylvester Koe, who, in 1810, 



MECHANICAL INI) [fSTRJKS. 



2(i<) 



ill (-oinpfuiy with 'I'Ihuikis PliillipH, uiidci- llic (inn nainc i>\' \Uh- & 
niiilips, opened a store "on tiie cor'iier ol' Scc(iii(l slreel, opposite lo 
Die Ceri-y," wliere Miey c.iirried on " tlie painlin,^- hiiKiness in all ils 
varions l)ianelies," and kepi for sale i.'ennselaer an<l lirislol "•jjiss, 
and also oils and paints. Tlieir old store is still slandiii;^' on llie 
corner, init is no lon^'er "opposite to tlir ferry" in the sense thai it 
was then. I'hillips & S(!ynioin' were their sin-eessors in JiSiC), and 
snl>se(piently .lohn \). I'll il lips; the shop oC the hit ter was hack on the 
river hank immediately adjoininj^- the Iniled States holel, where it, 
stood nntil ahont 1840, when it was eclipsed l»y the Io^l;' cahin v\liich 
was ei-ected hy the wjii;;- party. I'iiillips tV l''arrinji,ton were tiie 
Hncecssors, in iSjCi, of 'I'homas Allen, who conmiencecl hiisiness some 
years previously. Farrin,L;ton «t Lander (Daniel l''ai-rinjjion and Ijcii- 
janiin l^ander) were their snccessors and the contemporaries of John 
I). I'iiillips; their store and shop in I S:'>() was on the site of I he present 
No. 1(1 Water str(;(!t. Daniel Karriii^'ton continued the luisiness al'tei- 
the death of Ml', fiander in 1889, and K/>ra and Dani(d I'^arriiif^ton, .Jr. 
aftfi' tli(! death of tlieir father until 1875. y\roinid these pioneer shops 
othci'is Hpranj;- up, of which that of dames S. Yonnii' was the ilrst. 
Gcor^v. Clark was asKociatcid with liim in 1841, under the title of 
^^^^ 'i'oiinf^ & Clark. Mr. Clark with- 

drew and went to New York, and 
Mr. Voiin^' was succeeded hy ()|-- 
anj^-e \V(d)st<'r. Adam Lilijiirn, 
who learned the trade with .1. D. 
Phillips, was conteinpoi-ary with 
3i'3 Yonij^' & (.'lark. He sold to K.T. 
('oinslock, who siihseipicnth' had 
Levi l>. Livinjj,"slon for his associ- 
^ ate. Meanwhile (J. M. Leonaid 
f§@cfii^ : >i /^'^■'^?^^^^ ami ]'](]. Post started a shop ;id- 

joiniii^' (Jomstock it Livin;4-ston, 
on Front street. Peter Ward hoiiuht Mr. Post's interest in 18()(), and 
08tal)lislie(l the tirm of Ward & Le(»nar<l, now Ward & Loiran. 

William I'looiner, at lialmville, was perhaps the iii'st waj^'on-wrif^dit; 
but the more mo(lern order came in with Samiiel Dowiiin.Li; whose s1h)[) 
was in Piherty street (old town;. He sohl to denidnj;-s <fc Arcniariiis 
in 1810, and dex'oled his attention entir<dy to the nursery husincjss, 
which lie had previously established. Lewis DnPxiis coinnienced in 
1824. Jarnes W. Pow(dl, Benj. B. tiardner, and Selah T. McColliim 
were <jf later periods, and won; succeeded l)y Atkinson & DetirotV. 
Lewis J. Bazzoni, repnjsenting' tln^ advanced processes of production, 
entered the business iii 1850, in association with .J. DeForcst and A. 




270 HISTORY OF XE]VBUBGB. 

W. IjaTour, wluisc separate brauelics lie purrhaisetl in lSo(). SiiK'(> 
that time liis payments for labor have riNiehed $17,000 per annum. 

Tlie manuiaeturt' ol" iron and brass, wliieli of h»te years has t'onsti- 
tuted an important eh-ment in the mechanical industries of the city, 
had its bet;-innin,<;- alxml the year 1821, when Mr. Henry R. Carpenter 
erected a buildiui;- for foundry purposes in Front street, south of the 
United States hotel, and entitled his concern " 'f he Ne\vburi;-h Iron 
and Brass I'oundiy." in 1 So2 he removed from this building" to one 
which he erecteil on the north-east corner of W'estein Avenue and 
(Irand street, and which now constitutes the southern portion of the 
establishment of Whitehill, Snutii iV ('o. After Ixmul;- here a short 
time, .Mr. Carpenler ilied, and the ]M-operty passtni to John VV. Wcdls, 
one of his heirs. The business was continued by Mr. Wtdls uidil 
1834, when John 11. Corwin became associated in its nianag'ement. 
The tirm continued for four years under the title of Wells & Corwin, 
when Mr. Wells withdrew. Mr. Ct)rwin continued the business with 
differiMit associates — Mr. Malsey. Mr. A. IJ. Wood and others — until 
18t>4, when his sons, Isaac and Edward, in association with Sand. 
Stanton, under the title of Corwin. Stanton & Co., purchased it. 
Whitehill, Snnth & Co., are now its proprietors. 

In 1843, Stanton, Clark »lv: Co. (Isaac Stanton, K. II Clark, Nicholas 
Wilson, and Jas, Robinson), erei'tetl a foundry and machine shop, of 
brick, 30x80 feet, at the foot of South street on Front, to wliich the 
title of '•Highland Furnace" was given. Sand. (I. Kind)all bought 
an interest in the works in 184t>. The business was continued by the 
Hrni for eight years, when, on the expiration of the lease to them 
(April 1, 18ol), from J. Beveridg'e & Co.. the lattt>r tirm leased the 
property to Samuel .\. Walsh & Co. Mr. Walsh sold to (Toorg'o A. 
FJliott, who s(Jd to Homer Kainsdell, by whom the business was 
transferred to the \Vashingt()n Iron-works. In 18(i2, Jas. 11. Mallory 
and Isaac Stanton leased the property, but I'ontinued business lor 
only a year or two. The works were quite extensive at one time; 
they are now oceupied for the manufacture of paints. 

Wright. Mallory cV: Smitli established in 1852, on the corner of 
Water and Washington street, the '• Washing-ton Iron-works." Their 
successors were Malloiy, K'aines & Co.. until 18(i0. when the property 
passed into the hands o|' an ini-or|)orated company — Homer llanisdell, 
president; George M. Clapp. secretary and treasurer, 'i'he property 
of the comi)any, in 18(55, covered an area of about twenty acres with 
nearly twelve hundred feet of water-front, and included the numufac- 
ture of eng-ines, boilers, car wheels, etc. An apitroximate idi-a of the 
extent of its business may be obtained from the fact that its pay-roll 
reached $60,000 a month, or |t00,000 a year. A company of whii-h 



MECHANICAL L\JjUSTRIJ£S. 271 



Mr. ('lu|)|) wiis |ii('si(|('ii1, siu;cecd('<l IIk' nnc which was ui-j^-aiiizcil in 
18()0, ami iicciipicd thi' piopi'ity fin part) iin<h'i' h'asf IVnin Mi-. IJauiK- 
(IcII; llic hoih'i- slii)|) was l(!as('d by Alex. Canldwcll. This cumpany 
lail(jd, and tlic [ii'opcrty was sold to the Messrs. Carsun, vvhu soon rc- 
turmKl i1 \i> .VIr. Iiainsdell. 'I'hc hoih'r'shop was hnnicd in 11S71, and 
also the hiiildin*;' adjoiniiiij;' <>n llic noi-tli, whif;li had hccn h'ascd to Mr. 
J. Sevci'ancr lur the nianid'acl urc of papci-niakin<i,' niachincry. The 
Touiidry and niadiini' shdp wcic h-ascd \(< W'ni. Wrif^lit &Cn., in liSTO. 

A sniallcr Init inure pecnniarily siu'ccjssf'ul loiindry Ihan any nf its 
cont(Miiporari(!S, was established by (Mark & Kimball, un Washiiif^lon 
street, in 1851. the lii'm l)ein<i,' e(im])osed of K, II. Clark and Saml. ('>. 
Kiirdjall of the original llig'hlaiid I''nrnace. Mr. Clark withdrew in 
1874, lea\in;j,' his associate sole prupiietm-. The Spiei- & Wilson 
I'onndry has been in e.xisteiice I'nr many yeai-s on VN'estern Avenue. 
Its business has been conliiie(l to stove and othci' liuiit casling'8. 

Brush making' was lirsl conducted by l)ani(d Herrian, but the date 
is not of recoid. Richard P. Phillips (1881) was the next; he manu- 
factured " brusiies of evei'y d(;scri])tion " and had them for sale; his 
establishment was calked the " Newl)Mrg"h Brush Manufactory." — 
Donald M(;lnto8h entered into the busin(;s8 in Cold(;n stretjt in 1842, 
and n!main<id a few years. S. If. Tift came from Waterford in 184<), 
and ill 184U took William McCord (who had learned the ti'ade with 
Mcintosh) in partnershiji with him. dames and Win. McCord were 
the successors of this liini in 1852, and after <-ont inning; thirteen years 
in Front stn^cd, built their |ucsent factoi'y on Lander street. 

The business of manufacturing fancy and family soaps was iiiti'o- 
duced in 1852, by Henry B. Am«'s. who occupied a small basement in 
in Fnjnt stre(!t and made half a million pounds annually. In 185::), 
Mr. Jesse Oakley became associated with him, and the conccin was 
removed to Ann stivet. It was soon found necessary to use more 
room, and the linn piiiciiased a site on Wasliinglon street and erected 
on it what now constitutes a part of the main iuiilding, Mr. Oakley 
became sole pi(»prietor in 1855; but more recently has had for his 
associates .lohn .\. and E. B. Oakley. 

While so much that ndates to mechanit-al industries has iieeii juv- 
served, the names of the (;ar|)enters and masons who built the houses, 
and stores, ami churches of the ancient town, have vei'v imperfect 
record. Mt-lchior (iiilch was the first carpenter in ITO'.t; Arthur Mc- 
1\ inney was in that avocation in 1745, and Zenas (Jong'cr and .lohn 
AbraniK in 1784. The more modei'u carpenters wt're .lohn Forsyth, 
Oscar ^larsh, William .Marsh, and Thomas Shaw, pi-ioi- to 1824. Syl- 
vauus iioud, Aaron iJezendorf, William Hilton, and Andrew Little, 
represent later periods. Henry Veltman and Nathl. Gerard were the 



272 



HISTORY OF NEWBURGll. 



rniistins oC 1S24. Tlic latter liad succession in iiis son, Franklin (ie- 
rard, who was associated with Samuel Halsey in ISof), and renuiiued 
in tlie trade luitil 1815. John [kittle inid John Hilton date from about 
1S40. The business of which Thomas Shaw was the founder in 1S24, 
and which has been conducted in association with his sons, (}eort;-e 
W. and dharles B. Shnw, since 1S50, was established in a small shop 
on Carpenter's dock. Subse<iuently the red storehouse was taken, 
and their shop was removed with that building to South-Water street, 
north of the iron-works. The property was burned in the fii-e of De- 
cember, ISlif), followin.t;- which the structure now occu[)i(Hl by the linn 
was erected. The niiinufacture of sash, doors, moldint;-s, church fur- 
niture, et('., and idso ship-joinery, have been added to the ori_i;'inal 
business and successfully prosecuted. 

The followin<;' table, compiled IVom reliable local record, represents 
the nundx'i- ol' mechiinical establishments in 1822 and in 1875. The 
product oi' llie former year cainiot lie ascertained; it is presumed IJiat, 
as work was llicn performed by hand, $500, 000 wouhl amply cover 
the amount. The products g-iven as for 1815, are from j^revions olli- 



cial reports and 


do 1 


ot rep 


1-esent a 


specihc year. 








Principal. No 


1822 


1875 


J'roduct. 


Principals. No 


. 1822 


1875 


Product. 


BakcrieH, 


■1 


(i 


.t55,054 


Malt Houses, 


2 


2 


$ 


l$arl)oi-!s. 


3 


8 




Masons, 


4 


8 




Blacksiiiitlis, 


5 


11 




Marble Workers, 


— 


3 




IJlcat'liciii's, 





1 




Milliners, 


G 


11 




BookBiiulerH, 


1 


2 


2,800 


Moldiiifi and Planing', — 


3 




Brass W(irks, 





1 




Morocco Factories, 


2 


1 


3(),000 


Bnwi'iics, 


:i 


4 


3i)5,006 


Oilcloths, 


— 


2 


(iG.OOO 


Brick Kilns, 


1 







Painli^rs, 


2 


8 




IJi'Usli Makers, 


— 


1 


28,666 


Paint Factory, 


— 


1 




(1a.l)inct Makers, 


3 


5 


9,000 


Paper Han^iuirs, 


2 


3 




(Carpet Woavurs, 


1 


4 




Plaster Mills, 


— 


1 


8,266 


(Jarpciitcrs, 


10 


13 




] 'otters. 


1 


— 




Carvers, 





2 




Piano JIakers. 


— 


1 


10,666 


(lenient, Pipe, 


— 


1 


15,9g6 


Printing' I'lstah., 


2 


5 


15,000 


Cliaii' Makci's, 


2 


1 




Beed Maki^i's, 


1 


— 




('(Piicli Mak(^rK, 


3 


4 


13,()6o 


Hoofers, Klatc^, etc., 


— 


3 




Coffee and Spice, 





1 




Saddle and Harness, 


3 


M 


27,200 


C<infecti()n(;rv, 





9 




Siiil Makers, 


— 


1 




Comb-plate Makers, 


1 


1 


'2,700 


Sash and Doors, 


— 


C 


14,000 


Coopers, 


(J 


3 


5,155 


Saw Mills, 


1 


1 


133,900 


(Cotton Mills, 





1 


338,255 


Shoe Makers, 


15 


22 


28,083 


Dentists, 





10 




Soap and Candles, 


2 


3 


245,2(!7 


Gas ManutiK^turcrs, 


— 


1 


15,946 


Siivei- Smiths, 


1 


1 




Gas Fitters, 


— 


2 




Steam J'.oilersMfs., 


— 


1 


47,606 


Glove Makers, 


2 







Sti^ain En};ines Mfs. 





7 


1,500,000 


Gi'ist Mills, 


4 


1 


3,500 


Stone Cutters, 


2 


1 


18,000 


(inn-powder, 


1 


1 


45,000 


Tailors, 


5 


17 


17,87G 


GniisniithH, 


1 


2 




Tanneries, 


1 


4 


74,520 


Hatters {all classes) 


, 3 


10 




Tin Sinitlis, 


3 


9 


34,775 


Iron Foundries, 


1 


4 


8,400 


Tobacconists, 


2 


11 


28,250 


Iron Feuct's, 





1 




Undirella Makers, 





1 




Kindlinf^ Wood, 





2 


2,700 


Undertakt^rs, 


1 


5 




Lawn MowerB, 





1 




Upholsters, 





4 


23,796 


Lime Kilns, 


" 


1 


17,250 


\Voolen MiUs, 


4 
117 


2 

281 


75,000 






$3,369,175 



THE PROVINCIAL MILITIA. 2TA 



CHAPTEK XI. 

THE MILITIA PRIOR TO AND DURINO THE REVOLUTION SPECIAL ORGANIZA- 
TIONS AND CONTINENTAL REGIMENTS THE MILITIA SINCE THE 

REVOLUTION REBELLION RECORD. 



THE first military orj^anizatioii in tlio district of which the city 
and the town of Newhurf^li, as well as the town of New Wind- 
sor, now form a i)art, was made prior to 1738, and was known as "the 
foot company of military of the precinct of the Highlands." It was 
one of the companies of the Ulster regiment, of which A. (laasbeck 
Chambers was colonel, Wessel Ten Broeck lieutenant-colonel, Coen- 
radt Elmendorf major, and Cornelius Elmendorf, quartermaster,* and 
was comjiosed, in 1788, of the following officers and privates, viz: 

f!>ipt. ThfiH. I'^lIiHon, .Tercmiali FoHter, David Oliver, Jerry MaiiHf, 

Knsittn .loliii Yoiin^', (llinrlcH Beaty, Artliur Beaty, TliomaK .Johnston, 

Serf,'. David Da viils, Athos Foster, Matthcvv Davis, CaspariH StyiiiaK, 

Scrff. MoHCs (laritHon, Alexaiidcsr Foster, .Toiin Nief)ll, .Jr., .Jolin Moii},'"er, 

Serg. J*. Mc,(;iof,'liery, . fame ^s Young, Alexander McKcy, .James Jjickey, 

Corj). .TacohuH Bruyii, .TamcH Nealy, Roliert Sparks, Thomas Williams, 

(Jorii..Fas. Striiigliam, Jlohert ]''eei', .Jeiiriali Quiek, .Joliaiinis (ieorife, 

Corji. ,Jona. Jlazzard, .foseph I5iitt(^rton, Thomas Quick, .fereiniah Toni])kins, 

Clerk, (!liiiH. (!liiilon, Samuel r.ncki^y, .laeob (rillis, Isaac Tompkins, 

.Jolm Unif)lin\v, .loliii IMarkliatn, .Joseph Sinison, William Watts, 

Alexander Falls, .John U(^ad, .James Clark, Josiah I'lsworth, 

David Bedford, .Joseph McMikliill, John (;iark, James Flsworth, 

William (lolcinan, David TIniphrey, Lt)dewick Miller, AiithfH)y I'reslaer, 

Jos(^pli S\ve(!zer, JattK^s (ramble, Peter Miller, .Jonathan Tomkins, 

Thomas ColtMiiaii, John Candjle, George Weygant, Robert JJanker, 

John McVey, Cornc^lliis M(!Clean, William Wa'rd, Thomas Ji'c^ar, 

John .Jones, John Umi)hrey, Jr., William Ward, Jr., Frederick l^ainter, 

Patrick Tiroderick, James IJm])hrey, John Mattys Kimherg, Moses Elsworth, 

Josei)li Shaw, I'eter Mulinder, Willian} Smith, Jnr, John Marie, 

C'al<4) (lurtis, Robert Burnt^t, James Edmest-on, .Jonathan Owens, 

William Sutton, Archibald Beaty, Tobias- Weygant, Andrew McDowell. 

Daniel (Joleman. " Total, 8(1. 

The regiment was divided in 1756, into two regiments, the first (or 
northern) embracing Kingston, etc., and the second (or southern) em- 
bracing Newburgli, New Windsor, etc. In September, 1773, the 
southern regiment was under the following officers, viz: Thomas 
EUiscm, colonel ; Cliarles Clinton, lieutenant-colonel ; Cadwallader 
Golden, Jr., major, and Johannes Jansen, adjutant. The first com- 
pany in the regiment was located in Newburgh and was composed as 
follows, viz: Jonathan Hasbrouck, captain; Samuel Sands, 1st lieu- 

* The regiment was composed (1738) of nine companies which were located as follows: 
Kingston, .3 ; Marbletown, 1 ; Wallkill, 1; Hurley, 1 ; Rochester, 1 ; New Paltz, 1, and the 
l)recinct of the Highlands, l.—JJov. JIM. N. Y., iv., 226, etc. Ante p. 218. 

oi8 



274 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 

tenant; Wolvert Acker, 2cl lieutenant; Comelius Hasbrouck, ensip^n; 
four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer, and one hundred and 
forty-one privates.* 

On the 22d of August, 1775, the provincial congress of New York 
passed a law imder which the militia of the Revolution was organized. 
Tliis law provided that counties, cities and precincts should be divided, 
by their respective local committees, so that in each district a com- 
pany should be formed " ordinarily to consist of about eighty-three 
able-bodied and effective men, officers included, between sixteen and 
fifty years of age;" the officers to consist of one captain, two heuten- 
ants, one ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, one clerk, one drum- 
mer and one fifer. The several companies so formed were directed 
to be "joined into regiments, each regiment to consist of not less than 
five nor more than ten companies," which should be commanded by 
" one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, two majors, an adjutant and a 
quartermaster." The regiments Avere to be classed in six brigades, 
under " a brigadier-general and a major of brigade," and the entire 
force was to be under the command of one major-general. f 

When the organization was perfected, the counties of Ulster and 
Orange formed the foui'th brigade, under brigadier-general George 
Clinton. I This brigade was composed of five regiments in Orange 
county commanded respectively by WiUiam AUison of Goshen, Jesse 
Woodhull of Cornwall, John Hathorn of Warwick, A. Hawkes Hay of 
Orangetown, and Abm. Lent of Haverstraw; and of foui* regiments 
in Ulster county, commanded respectivel}' by Johannes Hardenbergh 
of Kuigston, James Clinton of New Windsor, Levi Pauling of Mar- 
bletown, and Jonathan Hasbrouck of Newburgh. The officers in the 
latter regiment were: Johannes Hardenbergh, Jr., heutenant-colonel ; 
Johannes Jansen, Jr., and Lewis DuBois, majors; Abraham Schoon- 
maker, adjutant, and Isaac Belknap, quartermaster. § In March, 1776, 
the regiment was composed of eleven companies, |j tlu-ee of which 
were located in Newbiu'gh and were commanded respectively by 
Samuel Clark, Jacob Conkling, and Ai'thur Smith. The following 
are the retvirns of these companies for the years named: 



* The names of non-commissioned officers and privates are not embraced in tlie report. 

t Proc. Prov. Conv., lOi, 114, etc. 

t This brigade slionld not be confused with the special brigade which was organized 
under Genl. CUnton in Aug. 177(i, whicli \ras composed of " all levies raised and to be rais- 
ed in the counties of Westchester, Duchess, Orange and Ulster " (Proc. Prov. Conv., 563), 
nor with the connnission issued to him by the continental congress in March, 1777. 

§ Ante p. 86, 87. Through a clerical error Belknap was not commissioned. 

II '' Newbukgh, March 20th, 1776. A true state of the regiment of Mihtia in the County 
of Ulster, whereof Jonathan Hasbrouck is colonel, consisting of eleven companies. My 
whole regnuent consists of six hundred and eight men, officers included; likewise four hun- 
dred and tifty firelocks; two hundred and ninety-three swords; one hundred and eightv-eight 
cartridge boxes; thirty-two pounds of pow-der, one hundred and twentv pounds of lead.— 
A true state of my regiment after every fourth man was selected as a minute man." 



THE PROVINCIAL MILITIA. 



275 



A LIST OF CAPT. SAMXJEL CLARK'S COMPANY* 



of Officers and Soldiers in Col. Hasbronck's 



Samuel Clark, captain. 
James Denton, 1st lieut. 
Martin Wygant, 2d lieut. 
Munson Ward, ensign. 
William Albertson, sergt. 
Isaac Brown, sergt. 
Ehenezer Gidncy, sergt. 
Hope Mills, sergt. 
Hugh Stevenson, corporal. 
Isaac Demott, corporal. 
John Sinison, corpoi-al. 
William Palmer, corjjorai. 
Joseph Brown, lifer. 
Sol. Buckingham, drummer. 
John Stillwell, 
Elijah Townsend, 
Stephen Albertson, 
— Daniel Gillis, 
Daniel Holly, 



.Tames Demott, 
Nathaniel Denton, 
John Beckett, 
Silas Leonard, 
Henry Smith, 
Benjamin Smith, 
Benjamin Birdsall, 
Hurmanus Rikeman, 
Solomon Lane, 
Thomas Patterson , 
Richard Ward, 
William Ferguson, 
William Carskaden, 
Isaac Hasbrouck, 
James Harris, 
William Bloomer, 
John Schofield, 
Benjamin Kamp, 
Hugh Ferguson, 



Regiment, June 8th, 1778 ; 
William Lewis, 
Richard Albertson, 
William Foster, 
Jeremiah Ward. 
George Jackson, 
Joseph Gidney, Jr., 
John Wiggins, 
George Lane, 
Samuel Fowler, 
Daniel Gidney, 
Joseph Coleman, 
Gili)ert Edwards, 
Samuel Gardner, 
Jacob Wiggins, 
Richard Drake, 
Jesse Smith. 
Albertson Smith, 
John Becket. 



A list of the Exempts of 
•lonatlian Hasbroucic, col. 
Moses Higby, doctor, 
^'Samuel Fowler, 
John Staples, 
Wilham Lupton, 
Nehemiah Denton, 
Thomas Ireland, 
Samuel Denton, 
James Harris, 
WilHam Bowdish, 
Isaac Brown, doctor, 
Thomas Palmer, 
Benjamin Coffin, 
William CoUard, 
Joseph Gedney, 
Nathaniel Coleman, 
Burger Wigant, 
Samuel Bond, 
Thomas Denton, captain. 
Robert Carscadden, 
Simon Crozier, 
Joseph Gidney, 
Hugh MacLean, 



Capt. Samuel Clark's company, 
Jeremiah Howell, 
Samuel Clark, 
Abel Belknap, 
Cornelius W^ood, 
.Jacob Miars, 
Thomas Smith, 
Cornelius Hasbrouck, 
Isaac Belknaj), 
Thaddeus Smith, 
Wilham Wilson, 
Joseph Albertson, 
Peter Donley, 
Daniel Aldredge, 
Samuel Sands, 
Thomas Rhodes, 
Leonard Smith, 
Mr. Trumpoor, 
William Lawrence, 
Thomas Brinkley, 
John T. Staples, 
.lohn Stilwilliam, 
Elias Burger, 
William Ward. 



April 30, 1778 and 1779: 

Duncan Duffie, 
Daniel Denton, 
James Denton, lieut. 
Martin Wygant, 
Monson Ward, ensign. 
Samuel Weed, 
Adolph DeGrove, 
Aaron Linn, 

John Nathan Hutchins, 
Isaac Belknap, Jr., 
.James Burns, 
David Cutch, 
William Sobe, 
John Holdrum, 
James McMasters, 
Jacob Reeder, 
WilUam Thurston, 
Thomas Ireland, Jr. 
.Teremiah Wool, 
Thomas Harris, 
Robert Morrison, doctor. 
Benjamin Harris, 



A LIST OF CAPT. JACOB CONKLIN'S COMPANY 



of MiUtia of Col. Hasbrouck's Regiment, Newburgh, Ulster county. May 4th, 1778 
Jacob Conklin, capt. Samuel Tarepening, James Penny, 

Cornells Terwilliger, —-•■ — 

Hazael Smith, 
Daniel Burnells, 
Barent Cole, 
■Joshua Camwell, 
.Jonas Totten, corporal. 
.James Totten, 
James Mills, 
WUliam Erwiu, Jr., 
William Cope, Jr., 
Stephen Jones, 
Isaac Barton, .Jr., 
Nathaniel Guiou, corporal 
Robert Aldrich. 

A list of Exempts of Capt Jacob Conklin's Company, April 23, 1779: 
Jacob Conklin, capt. James Denton, Lewis Slut, 

" ' " ' ' Ebenezer Raimond, Johannes Snyder, 



Jacob Lawrence, Ist lieut. 
David Guion, 2d lieut. 
John Crowell, ensign. 
Robt. Erwin, sergt. 
Robt. Ross, sergt. 
John Lawrence, sergt. 
Abm. Strickland, sergt. 
Abm. Smith, drummer. 
Jacob Strickland corporal. 
Ebenezer Strickland, 
Jonathan Brundige, 
John Killpatrick, 
Peter Aldrich, 



Jacob Lawrence, lieut. 



William Penny, 
John Dolson, 
.Joseph Simmons, 
Tunis Kiesler, 
Jacob Tremper, 
John Tremper, 
John Thomas, 
Johannes Snyder, 
Stephen Stevens, corporal. 
William McBride, 
Gerrit Van Benschoten, 
Peter Tarepening, 
Hermanns Terwilliger, 
Abm. Cole, Jr. 



* These returns are not of official record. The original rolls from which they are taken 
were accidentally discovered in a quantity of old paper sent to market in 1864. Of their 
genuiness there is not the shghtest doubt. 



276 

David Guion, licnt. 
John Ci-owell, ensign. 
CorneliuM rolhanuis, 
David Horton, 
Isaac Bai'ton, Senr., 
Peter Aldredge, 
Henry W. Kipp, 



HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



Michael Redmon, 
Josliua Briisli, 
Caleb Lock wood, 
William Erwin, 
James Quigley, 
Isaac Benscouten, 
Ebenezer Strickland, 
Joel Campbell. 



William Wear, 
Jacob Halstead, 
Tunis Keysler, 

Brush, 

Israel Brush, 
Nicholas Stephens, 
William Roach, 



A LIST OF CAPT. ARTHUR SMITH'S COMPANY 
Militia of Col. Hasbrouck's Regiment, Newburgh, April 24, 1779: 



Arthur Smith, capt. 
Isaac Fowler, 1st lieut. 
John Foster, '2d lieut. 
William Conkliug, 
John Kniffin, 
James Clark, 
Reuben Holmes, sergts. 
William Smith, 
William Michael, 
Samuel Griggs, corporals. 
Jonathan Cosman. 
Joseph Hallett. 
William Place, 



A list of the Exem])ts of 

Ai'thur Smith, capt. 
Isaac Fowler, lieut. 
John Foster, lieut. 
Wolvert Acker, ensign. 
Nehemiah FoAvler, 
Charles Tooker, 
Joseph Calffenter, 
Henry Cropsey, 
Thomas Orr, 
Hans Cosman, 



Daniel Fowler, 
Charles Kniffen, 
Tunis Dalson, 
George Merritt, 
Dunkin Campbell, 
John Owen, 
Thomas Campbell, 
Burroughs Holms, 
Solomon Comes, 
James Warring, 
William Ward. 
John Fowler, 
Jonas Southcrd, 
John Allen. 

Capt. Arthur Smilirs Company, 

John Stratton, 
John Grigffs. 
Jonathan Owens, 
Richard Osburn, 
Daniel Kniffen, 
Isaac Fowler, Sonr., 
Daniel Purdy, 
Daniel Rugards, 
Daniel Thurston, 
Jehiel Clark, 
William Michael. 



Jacob Wiggins, 
Stephen Ireland, 
Gilbert Aldridgc, 
Francis Smith, 
Heiu-y Cropsey, 
John Kuifien, 
Jacob Gillis, 
Sanuiel Fowler, 
John Davis, 
Reuben Tooker. 
John Randle, 
Nicholas Watts, 
James Clark. 



April •23d, 1779: 
Thomas Bosworth, 
Thonuis Ward, 
Elijah Ward, 
Samuel Stratton, 
George Merritt, 
Jeremiah Howell, 
John Fowler, 
David Smith, 
Gilbert Barton, 
Thomas Burling. 



The duties siDecially assigned to the active members of the miHtia 
were, " in case of any alarm, invasion or insurrection," to immediately 
rejDair, "jDroperly armed and accoutred," to the habitations of the 
captains of the companies to which they belonged, or to a duly ap- 
l^ointed rendezvous. Captains were requu'ed to march their compa- 
nies, when thus assembled, " to oppose the enemy, and at the same 
time send oft' an express to the commanding ofticer of the regiment 
or brigade," who was in turn required " to march -with the whole or 
part of his command," as he should judge necessaiy. The services 
of the mihtia, and the duties which devolved upon exempts, have 
already been detailed.* 

SPECIAL ORGANIZATIONS AND CONTINENTAL REGIMENTS. 

The first of the special militia organizations of the Revolution was 
tliat known as minute men, which was formally recommended by the 
continental congress to the several provinces for adoption, in May, 
1775. Under the mihtia bill of August 22d, the provincial conven- 
tion of New York accepted the plan, and provided "that after the 
whole mihtia " was formed, in the manner ah-eady detailed, " every 

* Ante p. 87, 88, 141, 142, etc. 



SPECIAL MILITIA ORGANIZATIONS. 277 



fourth man of each company " should " be selected for minute men " 
of such i)ersons as were willing- to enter into that "necessary service." 
The persons thus selected were to be organized in companies and elect 
officers, except in cases where an entire company of any regiment 
should offer its services, when it was to be commanded by the officers 
already chosen. The comjoanies were to be organized in ref^iments 
mider officers con-esponding with those of the regular militia, and 
the manner in which they were c;alled out was similar; but they 
were required to meet in subdivisions for military drill at least four 
hours in each week, and in companies for the same purpose at least 
four hours every fortnight, and when in service were subject to the 
orders of officers of the continental army, and entitled to the " same 
allowance, as to pay and provisions, with the continental forces." 
The plan, however, was not satisfactory in its operation, and it was 
abolished in June, 177().* In the meantime the provisions of the law 
were generally complied with. In the southern district of Ulster, 
three companies were raised, one in Newbiu-gh, one in New Windsor 
and one in New Marlborough, the former under command of Uriah 
Drake, captain; Jacob Lawrence, 1st lieutenant; WiUiam Erwin, 2d 
lieutenant; and Thos. Dunn, ensign. From these and other companies / 
a regiment was organized of which Thomas Palmer of Newburgh was V 
colonel, and was on duty in the Highlands in the winter of 1775-'G.t 

The second special organization of the militia included the several 
drafts made to reenforce the araiy at different times. The first draft 
occurred in June, 1776, when four battalions were organized for ser- 
vice in the vicinity of New York city, to which Orange county sent 
three companies and Ulster four, as part of Genl. John Morin Scott's 
brigade. The second draft was made in Jtly, 1770, and embraced 
one-fourth of the militia under command of colonels Isaac NicoU and 
Levi Pauling, the whole constituting a brigade under Genl. George 
Clinton. The third draft was in September, 1776, for six hundred 
men to reenforce the garrison at forts Clinton and Montgomeiy, of 
wliich number sixty-two were drawn from Col. Hasbrouck's regiment, 
and the whole placed under command of Johaunes Snyder. Details 
in regard to the officers and privates in these and subsequent drafts 
are not of record, but it is known that under them the militia were 
in vari^ing numbers almost constantly employed. 

On the 23d of July, 1776, companies of rangers were authorized 
for tlie protection of the inhabitants of the northern and western 
frontiers of the province. These companies were to hold themselves 
in constant readiness for service, with a view especially to prevent the 
incursions of Indians and Tories; but were to be confined, entii'ely to 
* Journal Prov. Conv., 114, 479, etc. Ante p. 87. t I'loc. Piov. Conv., 381, 



\ 



278 HISTORY OF NEWBVRGH. 

the counties in which they were raised, unless by mutual consent of the 
committees of adjoininfy counties, or unless otherwise directed by the 
convention. Three companies were organized in Ulster county under 
captains Isaac Belknap, Jacob R. DeWitt, and Elias Hasbrouck. Capt. 
Belknap's company was composed (Oct. 7, 1776,) as follows: 

Isaac Belknap, captain, John McNeal, James Humphrey, 

Henry Sclioonniaker, 1st It., Abraham Gari-ison, James Carscaden, 

Petnis Roosa, 'id lieut., Kobert Harris, Philip Aing, 

David Clark, corporal, John Caverly, Petrns Roosa, 

Samuel Falls, Jonathan CMiatticld, Ed. McClannon, 

Thomas Jackson, Stephauus Ecker, Elislia Willard, 

Corns. Vanderburgh, Matthew Robinson, Robert Gillespy. 

Marcus Wackman, Jas. Dadey, John Mallot, 

Christian Dupont, Wilhemus Roosa, Thos Patterson, 

Isaac Utter, ' George Hack, John Willard, 

Aaron Roosa, Darius Worden, Jolui Christie, 

John Hisson, Saml. Chard, Joshua Griften. 

The iirst active service of the company was under the dii'ection of 
the committee of safety at Fishkill. In February, 1777, it was attach- 
ed to Governor Clinton's brigade, and was thereafter kept busy in the 
Highlands.* The organization was abandoned, March, 1777. 

The first New York or " continental " regiments as they were caUed, 
were constituted in 1775 for the term of six months. These regi- 
ments were four in number and were commanded respectively by Alex. 
McDougaU, Goose Van Schaick, Jas. CHnton, and Jas. Holmes. Col. 
Clinton's regiment (the third) was largely composed of Orange and 
Ulster county men,f and, with its contemporaries, was in service in the 
expedition against Canada in the faU and winter of 1775. On the 8tli 
of January, 1776, the continental congress issued its first formal call 
for troops for the piu-pose of reenforcing- the army in Canada. Under 
this call New York fiu'nished one battahon of which Col. Van Schaick 
was continued in command. J On the 19th of January, of the same 
year, the second caU was issued, under which New York was requii-ed 
to fvu-nish four battalions "to garrison the several forts of the colony 
from Crown Point to the southward, and to prevent depredations 
upon Long Island, and promote the safety of the whole." These bat- 
tahons Avere assigned to the command of Alex. McDougaU, James 
CUnton, Rudolphus Ritzema, and Philip Van Cortlandt. The quota 
of Orange county was two companies, and that of Ulster three coni- 

* Ante 1). 87. Jour. Prov. Conv. 530, 813, etc. The names of the members of (Japt. Bel- 
knap's company are from a memorandum book found among his papers, and are no doubt 
correct. The same book contains a diary of the services of the company during the 
month of October, 1776, from \vhich it appears that its tirst muster for dut'y \vas at the 
house of Mrs. Ann Dubois, in Marlborough, on the 7th of that month. It marched from 
thence to Fishkill, and reported to the convention on the 17th, when it was placed "under 
the direction of the committee for trying tories." It was still at Fishkill in January, 1777. 

t Orange county furnished two companies— Capt. Daniel Denton's of Goshen, and Capt. 
llobt. Johnston's of Orangetown. Ulster furnished four companies— Capt. John Nichol- 
son's of New Windsor, Capt. Lewis DuBois' of Marlborough, and Capt. Elias Hasbrouck's 
ami Capt. Jacobus Bruyn's of Kingston. Capt. Nicholson was promoted Lieut. Colonel 
while m (Canada, and Capt. DuBois was promoted Major. 

if Ulster county furnished one company— Capt. William Martin's of Marlborough. 



CONTINENTAL REGIMENTS. 279 



panies, which were filled in April following-.* On the IGth of Septem- 
ber, the continental conj^Tess issued its third call for troops, under 
which New York was required to furnish four battahons "to serve 
during the war." These battalions were the first of their class, and 
were placed under the command of colonels Goose Van Schaick, Philiji 
Van Cortlandt, Peter Gansevort, and Henry B. Livingston. "f In Jvdy 
previous, the continental congress authorized a commission to Major 
Lewis DuBois, of Colonel Hasbrouck's regiment of militia, to raise a 
battalion "for three years or the war," | but the convention of New 
York objected, and the matter was held in abeyance. Now, however, 
the convention asked authority to recmit a fifth battalion of which 
Major DuBois shovdd have the command, and, the request being grant- 
ed, the battalion was commissioned. § Wliile more or less mixed by 
general recruiting, this battalion was regarded as the battalion of tliis 
district. It was ordered to garrison Fort Montgomery' in March, and 
was on duty there in the action of October, 1777, when it sustained a 
heavy loss in killed, wounded and prisoners. Its field-officers were : 

Lewis DuBois, colonel ; commissioned Jmie 25, 177G; rcHigiied Dec. 29, 1779. 

Jacobus Bruyn, lieut. col.; commisBioned June 25, 1776; taken prisoner at Fort Mont- 
gomery, Oct. (i", 1777. 

Marinus WiUett, lieut. col.; c(mamissioned July 1, 1780. 

Samuel Logan, major; commissioned June 26, 1776; taken prisoner at Fort Montgomery; 
exchanged Dec. 21, 17.S0; served to the end of the war. 

Henry DuBois, adjutant; commissioned Nov. 21, 1776; promoted captain July 1, 1780. 

Nehemiali Carpenter, quartermaster ; commissioned Nov. 21, 1776 ; taken prisoner at 
Fort Montgomery ; exchanged and promoted lieutenant. 

Samuel Townsend, paymaster; commissioned Nov. 21, 1776. 

John Gano, chaplain ; commissioned Nov. 21, 1776; promoted brigade cliaplain ; served 
to the end of the war. 

Samuel Cook, surgeon ; commissioned Nov- 21, 1776 ; served to the end of the war. 

Ebenezer Hutchinson, surgeon's mate ; commissioned June 12, 1778. || 

The battalions authorized imder this call, and Col. Lamb's artillery, 
were the only three years' regiments raised in the state during the 
Revolution, and were kept in the field by levies and by recruiting for 
shorter periods to supply vacancies in their ranks. 

The uniform which was worn by the continental regiments varied 
with the abihty of the authorities to jjurchase the materials. The 
regiments raised in 1775, were clothed in the same general style but 
in different colors. The first had blue broadcloth dress coats with 



* Cor. Prov. Conv., 172. The companies wore: Capt. Daniel Denton's of Goshen, Capt. 
Amos Hutchins' of Orangetown, and Capt. William Koe's of Cornwall, from Orange coun- 
ty; and Capt. John Belknap's of New Windsor, Capt. William Jackson's of Montgomery, 
and Capt. Cornehus Hardenburgh's of Hurley, from Ulster county. Capt. Koe's company 
was in excess of the quota. Hutchins' and Denton's companies were in Ritzema's regi- 
ment, and the other companies in Clinton's regiment. 

t The officers of the previous regiments were retained as far as possible. Ulster connty 
furnished three companies to Col. Gansevort's regiment— Cajjt. Thomas DeWitt's, Capt. 
Cornelius T. Jansen's, and Capt. .James Griggs' (New Windsor); and one company, Capt. 
William Jackson's (Montgomery) to Col. Livingston's regiment. Orange county sent one 
company (Capt. Amos Hutchins') to Col. DuBois' regiment. 

X Proc. Prov. Conv., 510. § Proc. Prov. Conv., 712. 

II A hst of the ofticers and privates of the regiment, as it stood at White Plains, Julv 
22, 1778, is given in Sattell's " Records of the Revolutionary War." 



280 HISTORY OF NEWBUBGH. 



crimson cuffs and facings; the second had light broivn coats with hhie 
cuffs and facings; the third had gray coats mth green ciiffs and facings; 
the fourth had dark brown coats with srarlef cuffs and facings. Their 
"breeches (as they were called) and waistcoats were of Russia drilling; 
the former were short (to the knee) and the latter long (to the hips). 
Their stockings were long (from the knee) of "coarse woolen home- 
spun"; low shoes, linen cravats, and round low-crowned broad-brim- 
med felt hats.* The regiments raised in January, 1776, were supplied 
with hunting frocks in lieu of coats, and in Jime, the Russia drillings 
gave place to " brain- dressed deer's leather sufficient to make each 
soldier one waistcoat and one paii' of breeches." The estabhshed 
uniform of the trooi^s, however, so far as there was one, was the hunt- 
ing frock, which came in under the order of the continental congress 
in 1776. These frocks have the same description wherever spoken of. 
" The uniform of the South Carolina rebels," says one English writer, 
" is a hunting shirt such as the farmers' servants in England wear " ; f 
and another, referring to the continental soldiers who were killed at 
Fort Montgomery, says, "they had on frocks such as oiu- farmers' 
servants wear," from which fact it was presumed they were militia- 
men, instead of members of Colonel DuBois' regiment as they were. 
The description by the Hessian officer, Briefwechsel, of the army 
under General dates at Saratoga, which was composed of over nine 
thousand regnilar troops, may be accepted as applicable to the entire 
army of the Revolution at that time. The rank and file, he writes, 
" were not equipped in any uniform." A few of the officers wore 
regimentals; and those fashioned to theii- own notions according to 
cut and color. Brown coats with sea-green facings, white linings and 
silver trimmings, and grey coats in abundance, with buff facings and 
cuHs, and gilt buttons; in short every variety of pattern. The briga- 
diers and generals wore miiforms and belts which designated their 
rank, but most of the colonels and other officers were in theii* ordi- 
naiy clothes; "a musket and bayonet in hand, and a cartridge-box or 
powder-horn over the shoulder." The continental uniform, now gene- 
rally accepted as such, was not adopted until 1780, when, by general 
orders (June 28), all officers were directed " to wear their coats with 
buff" facings and linings, yellow buttons, white or buff uuder-clothes, 
and a black and white feather in their hats." 

The equipage of the miHtia, as well as of the early continental 
regiments, consisted of "a good musket or firelock and bayonet, 
sword or tomahawk, a steel ramrod, worm, priming wire and brush 
fitted thereto, a cartouch box to contain twenty-three rounds of car- 
tridges, twelve flints and a knapsack, one pound of powder and tln-ee 

* Proc. Prov. Conv., 149, etc. f Penna. Ledger, Feb. 14, 1778. 



MILITIA SINCE THE REVOLUTION. 281 



pounds of bullets." The mtiskets were of a variety of patterns; the 
lono- gun of the old French war, the shorter standard musket of the 
English army, and a scant assortment of rifles. The convention of 
New York endeavored, in its contracts,* to secure iiniformity by pro- 
viding that the musket barrel should be "three feet and a half in 
length, and of three-fourths of an inch bore, well fortified at the 
breech," and that bayonets should be " one foot and nine inches from 
the shoulder;" but as there were few gunsmiths in the province at 
that time (1776), it was not until after arms were received from 
France that there was a jDcrceptible regularity or a sufficient quantit}^ 
to supi^ly the troops. MeanwhUe spears, sjjontoons, and tomahawks 
were called into use and became effective weapons, f 

THE MILITIA SINCE THE REVOLUTION. 

Immediately following the war of the Revolution very little atten- 
tion was given to the militia. The enrollment was of course preserved 
and embraced the name of every able-bodied male resident between 
the ages of sixteen and fifty. After the adoption of the federal 
constitution, more attention was given to the matter; and prior to 1806, 
five uniformed mihtia companies were organized in the regimental dis- 
trict \ of which Newbiu'gh was a part, viz : 

1. The Orange ffuxsars. — This company was organized in 1793. At 
that time it had its head-quarters in the town of Montgomery, but 
subsequently removed them to Coldenham in Newburgh. It was 
organized under the auspices of Joseph Barbour; was for many years 
under the command of William Wright; was on duty in 1812, and 
was again called to the field during the anti-rent troubles in 1846. It 
was detached fi-om the 2d regiment of cavalry, August 30, 1844, and 
attached to the 14th (19th) regiment, and disbanded in 1863, at which 
time it was under the command of William C. Brewster. 

2. Gapl. Acker'n Company of Cavalry. — A company of cavalry was 
organized under the command of William Acker, about the year 1804, 
and continued in existence until 1837 or '38. It was composed of 
members residing in the north paii of the town and in the adjoining 
towns of Ulster; and was in service on Long Island in 1812-'13. 



••*'- Robert Boyd establiHbed, iu June, 1775, a forgo in New Windsor, just south of Quas- 
saick creek, for the manufacture of muskets and bayonets. The convention voted to pay 
him " three pounds fifteen shilhngs, New York money, for each good musket with steel 
ramrod, and bayonet with scabbard." In February, 1770, he was able to write that he had 
"tlie best gunsmiths' shop in the colonies;" but nevertheless its capacity was limited from 
the difficulty in obtaining workmen. 

t The Provincial Convention of New York ordered (Sept. 4, 1776,) the manufacture of 
four thousand lances or spontoons to arm the mihtia for whom no guns could be obtained. 
Eight hundred were sent to Orange and the same number to Ulster county. (Proc. 607.) 
Tomahawks were a favorite implement and many thousands were furnished the troops. As 
a wliole the equipage of the army was not iueftective. 

t Several changes have been made in the boundaries of the district, and the regiment 
has been numbered the 4th, the 14th, and the 19th. 



282 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 

Capt. Acker was succeeded by Nathaniel DuBois, wlio served for seve- 
ral years. The last captain of the company was Robei-t D. Mapes of 
Marlborough. The uniform of the company consisted of red coats 
with buff facings, and buff" pantaloons. 

3. The Republican Blues. — This company was jorobably formed about 
the commencement of the present centiuy. It appears to have been 
in a very flourishing condition in 1807 (when it stood on the roll of 
the regiment as company No. 1), and to have continued so until 1814. 
It was composed almost entu-ely of natives of Ireland or their descend- 
ants, and hence was familiarly knowm as the Irish Blues. Very few 
companies in the state exhibited a more j^atriotic spirit than did the 
Blues. In 1807, dvuing the discussions which eventuated in the 
second war with England, it tendered its services to the Governor to 
aid in the pubhc defence, and from that time until 1812, when it was 
ordered to Staten Island, it stood ready to take the field. From the 
time of its organization mitil 1813, it was under the command of 
Alexander Denniston.* Its officers, in 1809, were: Alex. Denniston, 
captain; George Gordon, 1st sergeant; James Alexander, 2d; Paul 
Stewart, 3d; Thomas Kelso, 4th; WiUiam Camack, 1st corj^oral; 
John Kernochan, 2d; James Coleman, 3d; Isaiah Titus, 4th. From 
1813 to 1815, it was imder. the command of James Hamilton. Its 
unifoi-m consisted of a blue di-ess, and caps made in the form of a 
Roman helmet. The organization of the company was so broken up 
dm-ing the war, that its disbandment took place Jime 3, 1815, " in con- 
sequence of not having a comjilement of men agreeable to the statute." 

4. Capt. BirdsaU's Company. — The date of the organization of this 
company cannot now be ascertained. In 1809, it stood on the roU of 
the regiment as company No. 2, and was then under the command of 
the foUowing officers, viz: Chas. Bu'dsaU, captain; Abel Belknap, 1st 
sergeant; John Polhamus, 2d; Jere. Albertson, 3d; Briggs Belknap, 
4th; George Marvin, 1st corporal; Wm. P. Hatch, 2d; David Sands, 
3d; Joseph Albertson, 4th. These officers served until 1814, when 
Robei-t Gardiner was elected lieutenant, and Sylvester Roe, ensign. 
The uniform of the company was the same as that of the Republican 
Blues, with the exception of the facings of the coat; and like its con- 
temporary, it was in service on Staten Island in 1812.t The same 
causes which led to the disbandment of the former, struck the latter 
from the roll of the regiment, June 3d, 1815. 



t In 1812 (Nov. 30), Capt. Denniston proposed the organization of a company of volun- 
teers, to serve for one year or during tlie war, and succeeded in enlisting about' fifty men. 
who elected Jonathan Gidney captain. The company went to New York, and there formed 
part of a dcitached regiment of riflemen. Denniston was appointed major in this regi- 
ment, and the vacancy thus created in the captaincy of the Blues was filled by James 
Hamilton. 

t Ante p. 188. 



MILITIA SINCE THE REVOLUTION. 283 



5. Capt. Butterworth's Artillery Company. — This company was organ- 
ized November 2d, 1804, and had its head-quai-ters at the Mcintosh 
house on Liberty street. It was first under the command of William 
Ross, who served as captain untU 1810 or '11, when he was succeeded 
by Henry Butterworth. Its head-quarters were then removed to 
Balmville, where an artillery house was erected. In 1812, while under 
the command of Captain Butterworth, the company was stationed on 
Staten Island. Positive facts in reference to its subsequent history 
cannot be obtained, but it is said that Charles Clinton was its captain 
in 1819 or '20; in 1822, James Kelso, captain; Robt. Lockwood, 1st 
lieutenant; Gilbert Holmes, ensign; 1829, John B. Cromwell, captain; 
and afterwards Thornton M. Niven. As the artillery was embraced 
in a separate regiment (of which T. D. Lander was colonel), the 
roster of the 19th contains very little in reference to this company.* 

In addition to the uniformed companies, there were three companies 
of militia which, in 1812, were known as follows, viz: No. 4, or Cajit. 
Daniel T. Smith's Company — Daniel T. Smith, captain ; Daniel Tooker, 
1st sergeant; Nathl. Tooker, 2d; James Waring, 3d; Henry Cosman, 
drummer. No. 5, or Capt. Seth Belknap's Company — Seth Belknap, 
captain; Charles Hmnphrey, 1st sergeant; Sovreign B. Anderson, 2d; 
James Crawford, 3d; Wm. Belknap, 4th; Hezekiah Fairchild, 1st cor- 
poral; Jas. Wayland, 2d; Robert Gourlay, 3d; John Wood, Jr., 4th. 
No. 7, or Capt. Falls' Company — William H. Falls, captain; Robert 
Lawson, lieutenant; James Belknap, 1st sergeant; James M. Gardiner, 
2d; Wm. W. Sackett, 3d; Stephen BelknajD, 4th; Gilbert W. Cris^ey, 
1st corporal; Samuel G. Sneden, 2d; Gardiner Thompson, 3d; Daniel 
Gidney, 4th. These companies continued in existence until 1846. f 

In 1817, James Belknap, John W. Brown and others effected the 
organization of a comj^any of infantry subsequently known as The 
Bell-Button Company. Its first officers were: James Belknap,^ cap- 
tain; Wihiam Smith, lieutenant; John W. Brown, ensign. In 1822, 
William Smith § was captain; Samuel G. Sneden, lieutenant; and 
Fred. W. Farnam, ensign. In 1824, Charles Niven, captain; Thomas 
Smith, lieutenant; and E. Ward Fanington, ensign. The uniform of 
the company consisted of a blue short jacket ornamented with beU- 
buttons, blue pantaloons, and a cap with ornament and plume. It 

' The cavalry were also organized in a separate regiment, which will explain the ab- 
sence of those companies from the roll of this regiment and the difficulty of procuring 
authentic information. 

t The uniformed companies failed to make up the quota required from the regiment, in 
1813, and the militia were ordered out to supply the deficiency. Under this order, these 
companies were stationed at Harlem Heights for three months. 

t Mr. Belknap was appointed Adjutant in 1812, and held the commission until the close 
of the war. In 1821 or '22 he was appointed Brigade Inspector. 

§ William Smith was the son of Daniel Smith of Balmville. He was captam of the Black 
Hawk when the difficulty occurred between that vessel and the Cuban authorities. 



284 



HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



was disbanded in 1824, and its active members united with tlie other 
military associations of the town, viz : 

1. The Village Guard. — This company was organized in 1822, under 
the command of Henry B. Myers. Its uniform consisted of a blue 
cloth coat, white vest and pantaloons, a black stock or cravat, white 
webbmg cross and waist belts, a leather cap trimmed with an armor 
or scale chain plate, with a black vulture illume and cockade. It pre- 
served its organization tmtil 1846, when it was disbanded under the 
militia law of that year. The following list of the officers of the com- 
pany is from the roster of the regiment: 



Dale. Captain. 

1822 Henrv B. Myers, 
1825-G " do 

1827 ( do 

1827 \ William C. Hasbroiick, 

1828 do 

1829 do 
1831-33 do 

1834-35 Odell S. Hatlia\vn.y, 

1836 Walter W. Weed, 

1839 do 

1840 Adam Lilburn, 
1843 Richard J. Whitney, 
1844-46 Addison W. Brown, 



Lieutenard. 
John D. Phillips, 
Nathaniel Vail, 
William C. Hasbrouck, 
Alanson Randoll, 
David Harris, 
William Butterworth, 
O. S. Hathaway, 
Walter W. Weed, 
Cyrus S. Hawkins, 
Thos. McCuUough, 
Richard J. Whitney, 
Chas. H. Ball, 
Benj. B. Hawkins, 



Ensign. 
Ezra B. Sweet. 

do 
David Harris. 

do 
William Butterworth. 
OdeU S. Hathawav. 
Walter W. Weed. " 
Cyrus S. Hawkins. 
Thos McCuUough. 
Wm. H. Roberson. 
Chas. H. Ball. 
Wm. I. Underhill. 

do 



2. The Newburgh Volunteers. — This company was organized October 
30th, 1824 — John D. PhiUips, captain; John Johnson, lieutenant; and 
Thomas Smith, ensign. Its uniform was the same as that adopted by 
the Village Guard, with the exception of the plume wliich was white. 
It was disbanded imder the militia law of 1846, at which time it 
numbered about seventy muskets. The following list of its officers is 
from the books of the company: 



Date. Captain.'^'. 

1824 John D. Phillips, 
1829 do 

lggO-31 John Johnson, 

1831 Cicero A. Gardiner, 
1832-33 do 

1834-35 Orson TarbeU, 

1836 Oscar Marsh, 
1837-38 do 

1839-41 do 

1842 Oscar Marsh. 

1843 Lewis W. Gardiner, 

1844 do 
1845-46 do 



Lieutenant. 
John Johnson, 

do 
Orson TarbeU, 

do 

do 
Oscar Marsh, 
Nelson KeUcy, 
Alanson Miller, 
Adam Lilburn, 
Lewis W. Gardiner, 
N. P. Emett, 
John F. Baldwin, 
Westlake Cannon, 



Ensign. 
Thomas Smith. 
Orson TarbeU. 
John McAuley. 

Oscar Marsh. 
Nelson Kelley. 
Alanson MiUer. 
Moses Camack. 
Selah T. McCoUum. 
Joseph A. Starr. 

do 
Westlake Cannon. 
John S. Wear. 



The operation of the law of 1846, was disastrous to uniformed 
comj^anies. This law provided for the organization of only one com- 
pany in each company district; and, by its rearrangement of the regi- 
mental districts, confined the 19th to the coimty of Orange, thereby 
cutting off such members of the Newbm-gh companies as resided in 
Ulster. The Orange Hussars alone suiwived the measure. The law 
of 1854, however, was more favorable, and led to the organization of 
five companies, viz: 



MILITIA SINCE THE REVOLUTION. 285 



1. The Washington Continental Guard (Co. D). — The organization of 
this company was perfected by Mr. Robert D. Kemp and nineteen 
others, on the 22d November, 1855. It adopted the continental 
uniform of 1780, which was procured at a cost of $3,400; but was 
subsequent!}' comj^elled to substitute on general parade, the regular 
uniform of the militia. Its original roll embraced the names of forty- 
two members. Its officers have been: 

C'nidainn — R. D. Kemp, Isaac Wood, .Jr., Michael Doyle, Tho^i. S. Marvel, .Jr., Isaac Jen- 
kinson, Isaac M. Martin, .Jas. T. Chase. 

First Lieutenatds — Geo. M. Van Nort, Isaac Wood, Jr., Isaac .Jenkinson. Wni. M. Hath- 
away, Wm. B. Marvin, Archibald Ferguson, Jas. T. Chase, Geo. W. Hawkins, .John H. 
Terwilliger. 

Second Lieulena7iis—Isa,a.c Jenkinson, Michael Doyle, Wni. M. Hathaway, Wm. I'. Mar- 
vin, .John Bocock, George C. Marvin, George W. Hawkins, Nathaniel Jackson, .John S. 
Terwilliger, Christian F. Dietzeroth, James F. Niel. 

2. Powell Corps (Co. E). — The Powell Corj^s was organized Decem- 
ber Ist, 1857. Its officers have been: 

Captains--^. N. Arnold (1857), Eli H. Evans, (18.59), .John S. Watts (1860). 

First Lieutenants— Vfihon Bruyn, E. J. Roos, D. A. Mabie, W. H. Tice. 

Second Lieutenants—^. G. Fowler, W. C. Oakley, W. H. Tice, J. P. Vought, E.D. Hayt. 

3. The Newburgh Guard (Co. F).— This company was organized De- 
cember 23d, 1858. One of the features in its history was the erection 
of the monument to Uzal Knapp, at Washington's head-quarters, 
which was inaugui'ated with public ceremonies on Monday, June 18, 
1860. The officers of the company have been: 

Captains — John D. Kelly, James A. Raney, John H. Toohey, Timothy Donoghiie, Fran- 
cis Rose. 

Fust Lieutenants— James O'Neil, John H. Toohey, Patrick Day, Patrick Brennan, Robt. 
H. Brown, Patrick J. McDonald. 

Second Lieutenants — Joseph Wilson, Patrick Day, Robt. H. Brown, Patrick .J. McDon- 
alh, Patrick McArdle. 

4. The Parmenter Rifiemen (Co. L, subsequently C). — This compa- 
ny was organized in December, 1858, and took its name in honor of 
the colonel of the regiment, Stephen C. Parmenter. Its officers were : 

Captains — R. D. Kemp, Egbert Alsdorf, James Smiley, Robt. H. Kernochan. 

First Lieutenants— Yj. A. Jones, James Smiley, Robt. H. Kernochan, E. J. F. Marsh. 

Second Lieutenants — H. F. Adams, Alex. Mann, J. W. Stevenson, John H. Brooks. 

5. Ellis Guard (Co. I). — This company was organized September 

12, 1865, and named in honor of Col. A. V. H. EUis of the 124th N. 

Y. V. Its officers were: 

Captains — James C. Taggart, Saml. McQuaid, David A. Mabie, Jr., Alex. McMeekin, 
B. B. Moore. 
First Lieutenants — Sylvester Lawson, B. B. Moore. 
Second Lieutenants— Saml. McQuaid, Wm. C. Carmichael, Geo. Wallace, T. J. ColUns. 

In 1873, companies C and I were consohdated and the united com- 
pany named C, under the following officers: B. B. Moore, captain; 
E. F. J. Marsh, first heutenant; John H. Brooks, second lieutenant. 

Companies D, E, F, and L, and a company specially recruited called 
I, were in the service of the United States, as part of the 19th regi- 
ment militia, for three months from Joine 4, 1862. In the spring of 



286 



HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



1861 (June 28), company I, 71st regiment militia, was recruited prin- 
cipjilly from the Parmenter Riflemen, company L, for three months' 
service, and was in the tirst battle of Bull Run, where Saml. O. Bond, 
one of its members, was killed. It was again recraited for three 
months' service in the. 71st, in the spring of 1862, and many of its 
members passed directly fi'om the field into the 124th N. Y. V. Not 
less than ninety officers of the volunteer service, from colonel to 
second lieutenant, were drawn from the active and lionorarv members 
of the uniformed companies of Newburgh.* 

KKBELLION RECOKD. 

The totals of quotas and credits of the town of Newburgh (then 
including the city), dui-ing the wai" of the rebellion, were: 

Quotas under all calls prior to Dec. 19th, 186i, 1226 

Quota under the call of Dec. 19th, 1864, 122 

1348 

Credits under all ealls prior to Doc. 19tli, 1864, 1257 

Credits under the call of Dec. 19th, 1864, 122 

1379 

On settlement with the state authorities, under the bounty act t)f 1 865, 
the town was allowed for an excess of 287 years, or for 78 three yeai's' 
men over the quotas required, amounting to $47,400 ; and in the same 
settlement received $49,800 for bounties. The official record of quotas 
and the response which was made to them, however, fails to accurately 
represent the number of men furnished under the several calls, nor 

* The field-officers of the Eegiment have been : 

Date. Colonel. Lieut. Colonel. Major. 

1792 Geo. Denniston, command. 

1798 George Denniston, Leonard Smith, 

1804 do command. 

1808-12 Leonard Smith, Isaac Belknap, Jr., Sly, 

1813 do command. Chancer Belknap, 

1814-16 Isaac Belknap, Jr., Chancer Belknap, Edmund Griswold, 

1817 Chancey Belknap, Edmund Griswold, William H. P'alls, 

1818 do WilHam H.Falls, James Buttcrworth, 
1819-20 WilUam H. Falls, James Butterworth, Daniel Tooker, 
1821-23 do Daniel Tooker, Zadoeh Lewis, 
1824-26 John W. Brown, Gardiner Thompson. Charles H. Sly. 

1829 Gardiner Thom|)son, Isaac R. Carpenter, 

1830 do do John D. riiillips, 
1831-33 do do do 

1834-35 Isaac R. Carpenter, John D. PhilUps, Wni. C. Hasbrouck. 

1836-37 John D. Phillips, Odell S. Hathaway, Orson Tarbcll, 

1838-40 Odell S. Hathaway, Nelson Houston, " do 

1841 do do Stephen C. Parmenter, 

1S42 do Stephen C. Parmenter, Adam Lilbiu-n, 

1843 Stephen C. Parmenter, Adam Lilburn, Peter M. Joues, 

1845-57 do do Wilham R. Brown, 

1858-59 do William R. Brown, James Low, 

1860 William R. Brown. James Low, George Waller, 

1864 Isaac Wood, Jr., do 

1865 (^has. H. Wysraut, do Wm. M. Hathaway, 

1866 Everett J. Roos. WilUam D. Dickey, Daniel Torbush, " 
1868 William D. Dickey, Daniel Torbush, ' James C. Taggart. 

Brigadier Generals.— lim. Joseph Hasbrouck ; 1808, Josiah Robinson : 1813, Leonard 
Smith; 1816, Isaac Belknap, Jr.; 1819, Cbaneev Belknap; 1823, John Jausen; 1825, Gilbert 

0. Fowler; 1827, Daniel LeFever; 1830, Charles Borland; 1837, John McBride; 1843, Moses 

1. Decker; 1845, Alfred D. Hurtin ; 1846, WiUiam C. Little ; 1854, Henrv A. Samson ; 1857, 
WUhani W. Scrugham; 1860, Stephen C. Parmenter; 1864, William R. Brown. 



REBELLION RECORD. 287 



are the enlistments prior to July, 1862, entered in the account. The 
quota under the call of July, 1802, was 470; the number fuiTiished, 
501. The quota imder the call of July, 1868 (draft of October 7th), 
was 443, which number, with an addition of 50 per cent, (total 552), 
was dra^vn, of whom 90 commuted, entered the service personally, or 
furnished substitutes. The total of quotas under the merged calls of 
July and October, 1863, and of February, March and July, 1864, was 
756; the number furnished (including 90 credited by draft of 1863), 
827, of whom 71 were not credited. The volunteers in the two 
years' regiments, and in the militia for three months, prior to July, 
1862, reached the aggi-egate of 1078 men. The enlistments, there- 
fore, may be summarized as follows: 

Enlistments prior to .Jiilv, 1862, 1078 

" under call of .July, 1862, .501 

" under calls ot 186.3, '64, 827 

" under^all of December, 1864, 122 

showing a total of 2410,* an excess of 1033 over the number credited 
and of 1002 over the quotas required; or, reducing the enlistments 
prior to July, 1862, to three years' men and adding the number (78) 
allowed under the settlement of 1865, an excess over quotas of 518. 

The volunteers recruited in the town were for every- branch of the 
service, but were mainly embraced in the army of the Potomac. The 
following general enumeration is from official records: 

3d Regiment , Co. B % 

36th " " B 82 

56th " " A, B, etc 228 

124th " "A,H,etc 223 

166th " consolidated with 176th 41 

168th " 166 

63d " ;. 36 

98th " Co. C 71 

7l8t " Militia, Co. 1, 1861 58 

7l8t " " " 1862 6.5 

19th " " 1862 .357 

7th Independent Battery 131 

.5th Regiment Artillery 11 

6th " " ' 4 

7th " " 37 

15th " " Co. M 16 

16th " " 10 

2d •' Cavalry 57 

15th " " Co.1 72 

18th " " 6 

Colored Regiments 56 

Navy 116 

Miscellaneous, including substitutes, etc 471 

Total, 2410 



* The names of miUtia and volunteers representing this aggregate are of permanent 
record in the second annual report of the Bureau of Military Statistics (1865), and in the 
books of the town. It may be added that, with the exception of a few volunteers and 
substitutes brought in by recruiting agents, the quotas of the town were filled by legiti- 
mate recniiting from its own population. In this connection it may be stated that the 
first volunteers recruited in the state were by James A. Rancy for Captain Fullerton's com- 
pany, mustered as Company B, .3d Regiment. The company was h\ service during the 
entir(; war, although a number of its original members were discharged at the expiration 
of two years. 



288 J^IS TOR Y OF NEWB UR GIL 

Three public subscriptions were raised during the war for equip- 
ments, bounties, etc. The first, in the sj)rino- of 1801, was for the 
purjiose of furnisliing equipments for the nineteenth regiment militia, 
and amounted to $7,885. The second was raised in August, 18G2, for 
the purpose of paying a bounty to every person enlisting under the 
call of July of that year, and reached the sum of $17,521— of which 
amount $1(5,443 was paid for bounties and the balance ($1,078) con- 
tributed to the Soldiers' Aid Society for the relief of families of vol- 
unteers. The third subscription was raised in the spring of 1865, and 
was known as "the ten doUar bounty fund." Its object was to in- 
crease the bounty offered by the town to recruits, with a view to fill 
the quota and avoid a draft,. About $1,200 was raised and disbursed. 
In addition to these subscriptions, there was raised for the Soldiers' 
Aid Society and for other purposes: 

Hospital Fund, year oiidinjr July 31, 1862, S 456.71 

" 1863 1,750.67 

" " " 1864, 2,467. !)4 

" 1865, 1,475.65 

*6,150.67 

Family Relief Fund, from .Ian. 1, 1863, to Aug. 1, 1865, . . 3,220.62 

Less anidunt from Bounty l''und, 1,078.00 

2,151.62 

Contrihuiions to Christian Commission, 1864, 5,040.(10 

Hall of Military Records, 1865, (through David Moore, Esq.) I,l!)0.fl0 

Total general contributions, $14,532.20 

The subscriptions for special purposes were not limited in niimber 
or of small amount, but were necessarily without public record. The 
sums raised by the issue of town bonds, for the payment of boun- 
ties, etc., were: 

Village bonds for eciuipmcnts, 1861, j!5,00().(MI 

Town bonds, 1864, lirst issue, 21,250.00 

" 1864, second issue, 154,850.00 

" 1865, 84,600.00 

. $275,700.00 

Special relief of families of volunteers, 2,423 8i) 

278,123.80 
Less amount refunded by the state, 1865, 97,200.00* 

180,923.80 

Add subscription, 1861, 7,385 00 

1862, 17,.521.00 

1865, 1,2()0.00 

" Soldiers' Aid Societies, etc. (jn-eceding table),. 14,,532.20 
Assessment for proportion of $421,0o0 county bounty b(mds, 146,082 76 

Total of expenditures, aside from general taxes,! etc., $367,644.94 

* The town failed to realize the full amount of the bonds. 

t The general taxes were increased from $45,671.68, in 1861, to $134,716.21, in 1866— or, 
deductmg tor county bonds, to $111,802.87. 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. 289 



CHAPTER Xn. 



NEWBURGH CHURCHES RELIGIOUS AND LITERARY ASSOCIATIONS — SCHOOLS- 



ry^HE ecclesiastical liistory of Newlmroli properly commences with 
Jl the first settlement of it by the (Tcrman Palatines. They were 
aU Lutherans, or at least protestants; they had a pastor, and meas- 
ures wcro taken for the support of relij^aon by the infant colony. 
The facts connected with the relifi^ious history of the Palatines have 
been given in an earlier chapter and need not be again narrated. In 
process of time the English jiortion of the pop\ilation of the town 
exceeded the German in point of numlxr; and as the principal men 
on the German patent sympathized more or less with the Chiirch of 
England, the proj^erty originally given for the support of Luther- 
anism, was apjirojjriated to the maintenance of the former church. 
The 2:)lanting and development of that denomination is especially 
shown in the annals of 

ST. George's episcopal church. 

In 1701, the " Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign 
Parts," was formed in England, by mem])ers of the establislied church, 
and obtained a royal charter from William III. Its special object was 
to extend Episcopacy, and its chief field of operations, at the time of 
its origin, was the American colonies. From its records it appears 
that application Avas made for a missionar}', by the inhabitants of 
New Windsor, in the county of Ulster, in 1728. It was referred to 
the Rev. Mr. Vesey, of New York, who, in 1 72'.), reported that the 
district which it was proposed to embrace in the New Windsor mis- 
sion, included that settlement and " parts adjacent, 20 miles from 
north to south and K! from east to west;" and further, that the popu- 
lati(^n amounted to about 400. The society immediately commissioned 
the Rev. Mr. Charlton, at a salary of £50 per annum, who served the 
mission until 1731.* He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Kirkpatrick, 
who remained in the field until 1784. During the next ten years the 
mission was unoccupied. 

About 1734 " the English and Dutch new inhabitants," as they are 

* Mr. Charlton removed to the city of New York, where he served as assistant minister 
of Trinity cburcli. In 1747 he was appointed missionary of Staten Island, where he re- 
mained until his death in October, 1777. 

019 



o;)() UJSTOJiY OF NEWBUHGJL 

styled in the old reeords, began to settle at Newbiirgli, and in 1747 
they had become so numerous that they were enabled to elect trustees 
of the Glebe, and even went so far as to sluit the doors of the Pala- 
tine chui-ch against the Lutheran minister, who occasionally visited the 
Gennan families. The Rev. Mr. Watkins, who had been appointed in 
1744 to the New Windsor mission, preached on Sunday, 19th July, 
1747, in the Palatine church; and on that day performed divine wor- 
ship, according to the Episcopal form, for the first time Avithin the 
limits of the German patent.* In 1758, the governor and council 
issued letters patent to Alexander Colden and Richard Albertson, as 
tmstees of the Glebe, and confirmed the use of it, and of the church 
of the Palatines, to the Church of England. 

From the reports of the Society for Propagating the Gospel, it 
appears that, in 1758, the inhabitants of Newburgh parish had re- 
paired the church, and had erected a house for the minister,t Mr. 
Watkins, who had " good hopes of seeing the Newburgh parish pop- 
ulous and flourishing in a short time." Mr. Watkins occupied the 
mission until 1765, and during his incumbency, he is reported to have 
baptised 199 persons; the niimber of communicants being aboiit 100. 
He is said to have been " a single man, of an easy disposition, so that 
he hved happily with his people until his death ; but his talents as a 
preacher were not of a popular cast." % 

In 1709, the Rev. John Sayre was appointed to the vacant charge; 
and in November of that year, the " Minister, Church Wardens and 
Vestrymen" petitioned the governor (Colden) and coimcil for a char- 
ter for the Newburgh mission. This petition states, " that by the 
pious donations of several persons, the mission is ah-eady in posses- 
sion of tracts of land, which, for want of a royal charter constituting 
them, the minister, wardens and vestrymen, a body corporate, are now 
held for the church by deeds of tnist only. The inconvenience arising 
from this and sundry other matters in which the go6d of the Episco- 
pal chui'ch is essentially concerned and which might be obviated by a 
royal charter, have induced your petitioners humbly to pray, that yotu- 
Honor would be pleased to grant — His Majesty's Charter of Incorpo- 

* Documentary Hist. N. Y. iii, 59:5. Anti' page 123. 

t Views of the church and ot the parsonap;e are given on ante p. 120, 128. 

f Hczckiah Watkins, of Newburgh, publislieil in a paper printed by I. Parker and W. 
Weyinans, 15th March, 17(!5, "Observations (ui the circumstances and' conduct of the peo- 
pk' in the counties of Orange and Ulster," in which the provincial assembly was taken to 
task. The printers were sunnnoiuul to apjiear at the bar of the assembly; but, after a 
short contiuement, they were reprimanded and let go. Watkins, however, was not libe- 
rated until the next year, when, haWnc; acknowledged the authorship of the article, he 
was reprimanded and set free. (Doc. Hist, iv.) " Of this faithful and laborious servant 
in the Gospel," says Dr. Brown, (Historical Sermon p. 15,) "there are now iu this county 
many respectable friends and relatives bearing the same name." The late Hezekiah 
Watkins, of CJardiner, Ulster county, was a relative of the Newburgh minister, and the 
same remark may be made of Dr. John D. Watkins, of Liberty, Sullivan couuty. (History 
Sul. Co., 357.) 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. 291 



ration," &c. Dated, Coldenham, Nov. 17th, 1769. The petition is 
signed by John Sayre,* missionary; Chas. Robie, Cad. Colden, Jr., 
Saml. Fowler, and Joseph Watkins, vestrymen; and Robert Carskad- 
den, Andrew Graham, and Josiah Gilbert, wardens. ' It is endorsed: 
" 17G9, Dec. 12. Read in council and granted." The charter, how- 
ever, for some reason was not issued, and, on the 16th of April, 1770, 
another petition was sent to the governor, by the Rev. Mr. Sayre, and 
Messrs. Samuel Fowler, William Ellison, Stephen Wiggins, Leonard 
Smith, Samuel Winslow, and Nathan Purdy. This also is endorsed: 
"1770, May 2d. Read in council and granted." On the 30th of 
July, 1770, a charter was issued, which is still preserved, incorpo- 
rating the church as St. George's. 

The prosperity of the church was very seriously affected by the 
Revolution. In 1775, IVIr. Sayre resigned his office, and many of his 
parishioners conscientiously adhered to the cause of the king and thus 
excited against the church the popular feehng. When the war was 
ended, the St. George's parish of 1770 had neither minister, nor war- 
dens, nor vestry, and practically it had ceased to exist. No attempt 
to resuscitate the church appears to have been made until 1790, when 
the Rev. George H. Spierih was elected to discharge the double duty 
of minister and school-master; but his election was resisted by a large 
portion of the inhabitants of the German patent, and he only served 
until 1793,t when the station again became vacant and so remained 
for more than ten, years. 

On the 4th November, 1805, the church was reorganized under the 
old name of St. George's. " So fearfuUy smaU," says Dr. Brown, 
" was the number of her friends here, that it was found necessary to 
resort to the neighboring parishes for a sufficient number even to form 
an incorporation." At this time, the special purpose of the recirgani- 
zation was a legal one, such a step being deemed necessary in order 
to a recover}' of the old church and Glebe. Of the trial at law which 
ensued it is unnecessary to speak, as a full account of it is given in a 
previous chapter. The following is the record of the reorganization: 

" Nov. 4, 1805. At a meeting of the persons attached to the Protestant Episcopal 
Church in the United States of America, it was unanimously agreed, that the Protestant 
Episcopal Church of the Parish of Newburgh, should be known, as heretofore, by the 
name of St. George's Church; and that the election for Church Wardens and Vestrymen 
of said Church should be held annually on Tuesday in Easter week at the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, on the German patent, in the said Parish of Newburgh. 

"The following wardens and vestrymen were elected: Arthur Smith and George Merritt, 
wardens; Wm. W. Sackett, Gilbert Colden Willet, Saml. Floyd, Thos. Carskadden, John 



* Mr. Sayre was a man of talent and a popular preacher. He was very successful in 
his ministrations, and gathered large congregations at the different stations where he 
preached. He succeeded in obtaining a charter of incorporation for each of the three 
churches under his care, viz: St George's church, of Newburgh; St. Andrew's church, of 
Montgomery; and St. David's church, of tloshen (now in Hamptonburgh). 

t Mr. Spierin accepted a call from the congregation of Poughkeepsie, and removed to 
that place in 1793. 



292 msTonr of m<:]vburgfi. 

Gnrrit, David Fowler, Hi'iiry CaUbvell, ami Justin F()i>t, vi^stryimir, and Jonathan Fisk 
and J()sei)li Hoftniaii. Trusters of the (xlebe." 

"Jan. 2.S, 1S0(). On motion, Ut-solved, Tliat Mr. Saekott, Mr. Fisk, and Mr. Carskad- 
den be a eonmiittee to wait on Jlr. Foster for Ills {•oiisent tliat our minister, next time lie 
preaches in tliis Parish, ])re:ieh in the Aeadeni.v. 

" On motion, liesolved. That Mr. Fisk, air. liotliiiau and INFr. C'arskadden he a eom- 
niittee to open and repair St. Oeorge'sCliureli in tins rarisli." (The oUl Lutlieran elnireh.) 

'• April S, ISOC. At a nieetiiii;- of tlie Wardens and Vestrymen of St. lieorf;e's Chureli, 
in the Parish of Ne\vl>iu-.i;h, lietd on 'J'uesdny. rlie Stli day of April, ISI)(!, at tlu> Inmse of 
Kobt. U. ])olph, in the I'arish of Newbur.yh. for tlie i)ur])ose of eleetinu; two Wardens and 
eif^bt Vestrvnien: Oeortfe Merritt in the chair; J. Fisk, clerk. The followin.i,' were eh<isi'n: 
Henry Caldwell and l>a\id Fowler. Wardens; Wui. W. Saekett, (i. 0. Willet. Saml. Floyd, 
Thos." Carskadden. Justin Foole, Francis Siiiitb. .lohn Oarrit, and Wni. Taylor, Vestrymen. 

" On motion. Itesolved, That Mr. Fish be Clerk to thi' Vestry and Wardens. 

•• On motion, Itesolved, That Henry Caldwell be Treasurer of this Church. 

'• On motion, Itesolved. That Messrs. Floyd. tlolVman. Fowler, and Willet be a com- 
mittee to procure subscriptions and siilicit donations for the purpose of enabling this 
Chtirch to su]>p(nt a cleriryman. 

•'I\Ir. (irahiim and Mr. Colden. a committee from St. Andrew's, applied to St. George's 
to ascertain if this Church will unite w ith them in the sujiport oi' a clergyman. On nio- 
tiim. Itesolved, That this Church will miite with St. Andrew's in the support of a elergy- 
nn\n; and that Mr. l^'owler, j\Ir. Cahlwi<ll, and a[r. Fisk, be a committee to couftr with the 
said I'onunittee from St. Andiew's, and conclude ihe terms on which such clergyman shall 
be employed by our united support, and 'bat the said connnittee also confer with the 
Episciipai Church a' Oosben and ascertain if that Church will unite v.ith this and St. .An- 
drew's to sui)port a I'hrgynian." 

"July 2S, ISOli. Couimit'ec on Pastor rciuirted. that they had not been able to mvet 
with conuuit'ees from St. .Andrew's and Goshen." 

"Aug. 4, bSO(>. Committee repn-ted that the Clim'ch at Goshen. St. .-Vndrows, Now 
Windsor, and Newburgh, had agreed to unite in su])]ior*ing- a clergyman." 

The pastor whose services wer(^ secured under the ai^reemeiit of 
August J:tli, above quoted, was the l^ev. Frederick ^-"an Home, who 
resided at St. Andrew's (at the time probtililv tlie strongest con- 
gregation in the proposed circiiit), who continued in that capacity 
until 1801), when he removed to Ballston. The Eev. Mr. ]\rackin 
succeeded him, but remained in the tield onlv a fcAv months; and 
diiriug the next year (1810) an agreement was made AAith Rev. Mr. 
Powell, rector of St. Andrew's, Coldenhani. by St. George's church, 
for the one thu'd of his time. This state of tilings continued until 
1815, when the Eev. Dr. John Brown entered upcm the duties of rec- 
tor of St. George's church, having preached his inaugiirid sermon on 
the 24:th Dec. of that vear. Dr. Brown, then onlv in deacon's orders, 
had just connneuced his ministerial labors in Trinity church, Fishkill. 
By the advice of the late Bishop Hobart, he was induced to perform 
a third sendee in NcAvburgh for many Sundays in succession, diuing 
which period " the Holy Connnunion was acbninistered for the first 
time in the parish since the revolutiontiry war to the sniaD number of 
three." Dm-ing the lirst yetxi- of Dr. Brown's imciunbency, the num- 
ber of persons continued was thii'ty-seven, and twenty-eight were ad- 
mitted to the holy ccnnmunion. Dr. Brown continued in full charge 
of the work of the ptirish until January, 1859, when Rev. Caleb S. 
Henry, D. D., was engaged as assistant minister, and served until 
March, 1801. In October, 1859, Rev. Hobart Chetwood was engaged 
in the same capacity, and servtHl until June, 1800. He was succeeded 
in October by Rev. Jolni A\'. Clark, who served until November, 1802, 



CHURCHES. SCHOOLS. ETC 



293 



when the office was discontinued. Revs. T. M. Riley, John F. Potter, 
Johu Downic, and Alex. Davidson, siKicessivoly seized as assistants to 
the rector until October, 1HG8, when the Rev. Octavius Apple^ate was 
elected asr;istant minister with duties involving- the active rectorship. 

The first edifice occupied by the con<*'regation of St. Georo-e's was, 
as 1 before mentioned, the one erected by the Lutherans, and long 
known as the old Glel>e school-house. When the Episcopalians 
ceased to occui)y this church is uncertain, but it was proT)ably very 
soon after the war of the revolution bef^an. In 1815, the conf,a-e<>-a- 
tion was temporarily accommodated, throuj^h the kindness of the late 
Mr. Tliomas Ellison of New Windsor, in a Ijuildinj.^- on Liberty street, 
known as the McLitosh house. Hero it remained for some years. 
The chui'ch edifice (St. George's) was begun in 18l(>, and was conse- 




hJ. GKOJii.K S K1'IS< (JPAI. f :HUK( H. 



crated hj Bishop Hobart, November 10, 1819. Tlie increase of the 
congregation rendering more room necessary, a gallery was put nj) in 
1H2V), and at the sanu' time an organ was puix-hased. In 1834, the 
building was enlarged, and the steejjle was added, in which a fine 
toned beU was hxmg. The church was again enlarged and beautified 
in 1853, at an expense of $9,()()0. At that time the tasteful and com- 
modious Siuiday-school room and vestry was built on the south side 
of the church. The chiu:ch edifice is the doric ntjle of architecture. 
It has a front on Grand street of 45 feet, and i.s 90 feet in depth. Its 
pews Im'nish accommodations for B50 persons. 

The accommodations fui-nished by the enlargement of the church, 
however, failed to meet the requirements of the congregation, and in 
March, 1859, the rector and vestry of St. George's purchased the edi- 



294 ITISTOIiY OF NEU'BUnOH. 

fice oripfiuoUy erected by the conp:rep;ation of the Union A. E. church. 
This buildiufx was thoroughly refitted and improved in its ai'cliitect- 
ure, and in the following May it was consecrated for Episcopal wor- 
ship under the name of St. John's chapel. The entei-prise failed of 
success, and the building was (1864) sold for other purposes. In the 
mejuitime the necessity which its piu'chase was designed to supply, 
had foimd accommodation in 

ST. p.\itl's episcopal church, 
the orgiuiization of which sprjing fi*om a desii'e, on the part of several 
members of St. George's pjxrisli, to extend the influence of the Epis- 
copal fjiith over a field wider than that which it was thought could be 
successfully embraced under a single church juristliction. The propo- 
sition to divide the old psirish and erect an additionjil one, was made 
in 1858. but po steps were then tjiken to accomplish that object. On 
the 12th May, 18(i(), the proposition was renewed, and a fornuil appli- 
cation was made to the rector of St. George's, in accordance A\-ith the 
laws of the Episcopiil I'hiu'da, for liis officijil consent to the organiza- 
tion of a new congi*egation \\dtliin the limits of his pju'ish. 

The application received tlie consent of the Rev. Dr. Brown, and 
the congregation of St. Paul's chui"ch wjis soon after informjilly organ- 
ized. On the 5tli of June, the membei's of the proposed new congre- 
gation extended a unaninunis call to the Rev. Hobtu't Chetwood, at 
that time assistant minister of St. George's chvu'ch, to be their pastor. 
This I'all was accepted by Mr. Chetwood — the acceptsxnce to take 
efl'ect at the termination of his engagement to the old pju'ish, Nov. 1st, 
181)0. By the subsequent action of the vestry of St. George's, Mr. 
Chetwood's connection with that paiish ceased on the 23d of June ; 
and, on tlie 25th of June, he consented to enter at once upon his du- 
ties as minister i^f St. Paul's. The organization of the church was 
completed on the 11th September, by the election of David M. Clai'k- 
son and William E. WiU-ren, wai'dens ; and F. C. Withers, Hiram 
Falls, H. H. BeU, ^^ ni. Bogert, R. Y. K. Montfort, Jolm Gordon, E. 
W. Gray, and G. J. Appleton, vestrsmen. Mi-. Chetwood exchanged 
^^^th Rev. H. P. C. Meh-ille, dm-ing the wdnter of 1866. Rev. Dr. 
Limdy served as assistant minister fi-om Sept. 1st, 1867, to his death 
m April, 1868. Rev. Dr. Irving was his successor for six montlis. In 
June, 1872. Mr. Chetwood resigned the rectorship, and in September 
following. Rev. Rufus Emery became his successor. 

The first service of the chim-h was held in the Highland Academy 
(now the Home for the Friendless), on Sunday, July 1st. Within a 
fortnight after that date, a lot was pmvhased on Grand street, at a 
cost of $4,100, and a contract entered into with ]Mr. Jno. Little for the 
erection of a chapel. The building was opened for di^•ine woi'ship on 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. 295 

the first Sunday in October (Oct. 7, 18(50). Its cost, including furni- 
ture, was about $2,800. On the 1st June, 18(54, the erection of a 
church edifice was formally inaugurated, with the exjjressed intention 
of prosecuting the undertaking to enclosure, leaving the nave, tower, 
etc., to the future. The comer-stone was laid on Thursday afternoon, 
August 24th, 18(55, by llev. John Brown, D. D., under appointment 
of the bishop of the diocese. The building, although in occu])ation 
and supplied with an organ, etc., awaits connjletion in the respects 
already mentioned. The expenditure so far made is about $85,000. 

ST. George's mission. 
St. George's Mission was begun June 4tli, 1871, in an upper room, 
called McConlcey's haU, on Western Avenue. In October follovnng 
two floors of a tenement were engaged and fitted up for service as 
well as Sunday-school, which were continued fi"om ()ctol)er 2!), 1871, 
until Febnxary 1(5, 1872, when the chapel, which had been (erected in 
the meantime, was occupied. The cost of the chapel, including lot, 
furniture, etc., was $4,853.16. Revs. Boss, Smith, and G. W. Hinkle 
have been the ministers in charge. 

THE CHURCH OF THE CORNER-STONE. 

On the 8th of August, 1875, Bishop Cummings, of the Reformed 
Protestant Episcopal Church, held service in the American Reformed 
Church, and on the evening of the 25th "The Church of the (Corner- 
stone " was organized under the general statute of the state of New 
York, and the foUowdng officers elected: Wardens— Daniel T. Rogers 
and Walter C. Anthony; Vestrymen — James (1. Graham, J. Wilson 
Stratt(m, William J. Roe, Jr., George Middleton, Robert L. Case, Jas. 
(t. Birch, Edward Haigh. Benjamin F. Clark, secretary and treas- 
urer; James G. Birch, superintendent of Sabbath-school. Regular 
services were subsequently held in the lecture room of the Associate 
Reformed Church. Rev. Dr. Leac^ock was called to the rectorship in 
October, and entered at once upon the discharge of its duties. In 
November ground was broken for the erection of the church edifice 
on South street; and on the 24th of that month the contract for 
building was given to Thomas Dobin at $4,0(55). The structure is of 
Gothic style and has a frontage of thirty-three feet. Seating accom- 
modations are provided for about two hundred and fifty persons. It 
was first occupied on Easter-Sunday (April 1(5), 187G. 

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The adherents of the Presbyterian faith who first came to New- 
burgh were connected with the Bethlehem church in Cornwall, which 
was founded about 172(5. From this parent stem sprang the church 
of New Windsor, which was organized Sei^tenibor 14, 17(54, when the 
sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Mofi'at, and Jos. Wood, Wm. 



296 msTonr OF NEwnunoir. 



Lawrence, Samuel Brewster, and Henry Smith were chosen elders. 
The Rev. Timothy Johnes,* afterwards and for many years pastor of 
the chm-ch of Morristown, N. J., was appointed stated supply of the 
church by the Presbytery of New York, and served in that capacity 
from the 5th of May, 1766, until October, 1767, when he was succeed- 
ed by the Rev. Francis Pejipard, who remained until 1773. During 
the pastorate of Mr. Peppard, the district was divided into four jjarts, 
viz : Bethlehem or New Cornwall, Murderer's creek, New Windsor, and 
Newburgh, in each of which trustees were appointed for the purpose 
of raising" funds and taking charge of the temporal affairs of the 
church in their respective neighborhoods, thereby creating, as it were, 
four informal societies. The withdrawfd of Mr. Peppard left the sta- 
tion vacant, and measui'es were taken to secure the services of the 
Rev. John Close, "j" While these arrangements were pending, however, 
the Marlborough Society invited the trustees of the Newburgh district 
to unite with them in temporarily settling the Rev. John McCallah 
over both districts. This invitation was accepted, and Mr. McCallah 
entered upon his duties Sej^tember 26, 1773. | But his labors in 
Newburgh could have been only for a few weeks, as in November of 
the same year, the arrangements for that purposo having been per- 
fected, Mr. Close was invited to take the vacant charge, and soon alter 
entered upon the duties of pastor. The war of the Revolution, how- 
evei*, prevented his formal installation, and, a large portion of his time 
being occuj^ied as chaplain in the militia, the public services of the 
church were very ii-regular. In consequence of these facts, the infor- 
mal society in Newbm-gh apjiears to have maintained a separate or- 
ganization during the war, elder AViUiam Lawrence performing the 
pastoral duties. 

Immediately after the war, this informal society, strengthened by 



* The Rev. Timothy Johnes was the grandfather of Edward R. and Aaron P. Johnes, 
of Newburgh. 

t At a meeting of the Elders and several of the members of the congregation of New 
Wmdsor, the 22d August, 1773, for setting on foot a subscription for raising a salary for 
the Rev. John Close, in order to the calUng of him as the stated Teacher and Pastor of 
the united congregations of Bethlehem and Now Windsor— 

" It is agreed, that the congregation stand divided into four districts, as in Mr. Pep- 
pard's tune (i. e. 1767): That Trustees be appointed in each district in whose names the 
subscriptions shull be taken for the use of the said Mr. Close ; and the following persons 
were named as Trustees, viz : 

"Kew C()rnwcdl /^/.s^rid-Joseph Wood, Reuben Clark, Joseph Smith, Daniel Wood, 
Jeremiah Clark. 

" Murderer' a Creek iW.sMo/'— Francis Mandevill, Samuel Brewster, William Roe, Benja- 
min Case, William Williams. 

"New ^J>i!if()r Diglrict- John Nicoll, James Chnton, David Halladav, Saml. Brewster, 
L,eonard Nicoll. George Clinton, Judah Harlow, Sanil. Logan, Charles i3ooth. 

" Aeirburgh 7>Ks/r(c/— Jonathan Ilasbrouck, Abel Belknap, Moses Higby, Elnathan 
Foster, Isaac Belknap."— C7/(//o« Firper.% SLite Library. 

X " Sept. 24, 1773. This day hired the Rov. Mr. John McCallah for six months, to 
preach one halt of the tunc! in the meeting house and the other half at Newburgh, the 
two trustees accountable to him for the sum of £20— 12s, and the Lower or Newburgh 
bociety accountable for the remainder of his salarv."— ilfi/*. Marlb. Society. 



CHUBCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. 297 



the addition of several persons who became permanent residents on 
the disbandment of the army, obtained the building- which had been 
erected by the army as a store-house for clothing-, where it appears to 
have held 2:)ublic worship in the winter of 1783, or spring of 1784. 
The records of the church state that divine service was held here in 
1784, and that the congregation was formally organized in the same 
year. The minutes of the meeting held for the purpose of organiza- 
tion, are as follows, viz: 

" In pursuance of an act entitled " An Act to enable all Religious Denominations in the 
State to appoint Trustees, who shall be a body corporate for the purpose of taking care of 
the Temporalities of their respective congregations, and for other purposes," passed the 
(ith day of April, 1784, the congregation or Religious Society desirous of forming them- 
selves into a regular well-constituted congregation or society, agreeable to the Canon of 
the Church of Scotland, at Newburgh, did, on the 12th day of July last past — being stated 
attendants on Divine worship by Elder William Lawrence — advertise a meeting of the 
said congregation, agreeable to the said Act, to meet at the house of Adolph DeGrove.for 
the purpose of electing, according to the true intent and meaning thereof, Trustees for 
the good purposes intended and mentioned in the said Act; and being convened at the time 
and i)lace aforesaid, did, in the tirst ])lace, by plurality of voices, nominate and appoint 
Mr. Asa Steward to act with the said William Lawrence as Returning officers, who pro- 
ceeded to open the poll, and after taking that part of the said congregation or society con- 
vened on the occasion and present agreeable to said Act— Adolph DeGrove, Daniel Hud- 
son, Thomas Palmer, Jost^ph Coleman, and Isaac Belknap, were ajjpointed and legally 
elected Trustees for the said congregation or society, agreeable to the said Act. 2d. We 
'hen proceeded to elect a Clerk to insert the certificate of the Re!urning officers. 

Ik' it remembered, that we, William Lawrence and Asa Steward, having been legally 
elected and appf)inted the Returning officers at the election held at the house of Adolph 
DeGrove, at Newburgh, the 12th day of August, 1784, for the ])nr))ose of electing Trus- 
tees for laking care of tlu; Temporalities of the ccjngregation or Religious Socie*y at New- 
burgh, aforesaid, agreeable to an Act entitled "An Act," \'c., do hereby certify, Uiat 
Adolidi DeGrove, Daniel Hudson, Thomas Palniei', Joseph Coleman, and Isaac Belknap, 
were legally and unanimously elected as Trustees for 'he purposes aforesaid, and that the 
said persons so elected, and their successors forever hereaffer, sliall be known by the name, 
style and title of the Trustt-es of the Presbyterian Congregation at Newbiu'gh. In wit- 
ness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals the 12th day of August, in the 
year of our Lord, 1784." 

As the congTegation was quite too feeble in means and member- 
ship for the support of a pastor, it was resolved, at a meeting held 
8th Feb., 1785, to unite for tliis purj^oss with the church of New 
Windsor. The records declare that, " the congreg'ation assembled at 
the meeting house, William Lawrence, ruling elder, being moderator. 
It was agreed 

1. To join in union with the congregation of New Windsor. 

2. That the Trustees for the congregation of Nev/burgh be empowered to form a imion 
with the Trustees of New Windsor congregation, for promoting the preaching of the Gos- 
pel, not exceeding seven years, nor under five.'' 

A joint meetinjy of the trustees named was soon after held (Feb. 11, 
1785,) at the house of Adolph DeGrove, at which Abel Belknaj) j^re- 
sided. Daniel Hudson, Joseph Coleman, Isaac Belknap, and Adolph 
DeGrove, represented Newburgh; and Abel Belknap, Samuel Logan, 
Leonard NicoU, Silas Wliite, Benjamin Birdsall, Isaac Schultz, and 
Samuel Brewster, represented New Windsor. After conversation it 
was " unanimously agreed between the trustees of the said congrega- 
tions for joining the union for seven years." 

In AprU, 1785, apphcation was made to the Presbytery for the 



^ 



0(),s HISTORY OF NEW Bimon. 

appoiutiueut of ]\lr. Close to be the stated supply of both churches. 
The request was orjuited, and he continued to labor here until 170G.* 
Diu'ing- the first year of his service, Mr. Close preached in Ne\vburo;h 
one third of his time, for which he was paid £23. He was succeeded 
h\ the Rev. Isaac Lewis, who served the conore^ation as stated supply 
until the sprint:^ of 1800, when he became the pastor of the Presby- 
terian church of Cooperstown.f On the ()th of May, 1800, the Rev. 
Jonathan Freeman was installed pastor of the united chiu'ch, and the 
first pastor of that of Newbur^li.| He resigned the charge in 1804. 
His successor was the Rev. Eleazer Burnet, who was ordained and 
iustidled pastor, 20th Nov. 1805,§ and who held the station until his 
death, in 180(j. The Rev. Dr. John Johnston, then a Hcentiate, first 
preached in Newbiu"gli about the time of Mr. Biu'net's decease, and 
occasioiiiilly sup|)lied the united churches during the winter of 180(3-7. 
He was ordained and installed as pastor on the 5tli August, 1807. || 

In the spring of 1810, the comiection between the two churches 
was dissolved; and the serWces of Mr. Johnston were henceforth con- 
fined to Newburgh. Here he continued to labor with unwearied dili- 
gence and great svaccess until Febmary, 1855, when he was pros- 
trated by severe illness which subsequently terminated his life. 

The congregation was suppHed during Dr. Johnston's illness and 

* Kev. John Close was a nativo of Greenwich, Coiin. He was born in 1737, graduated at 
rriuceton in 1763, was licensed by the Presbytery of Bnchess county in 1765, and ordain- 
ed as colleague of the Rev. Eben Prinie at Hiiiitingtou, L. 1., in 1766. He removed ro 
Watcrfiird in 179(i. and died there in \t<Vi.~ Bolton' s^ Wcatcheittei- ('nunty. ii. 510. 

t In ISOC. Mr. IjCwIs was called to the pastoral care of the church at Goshen, where he 
remained until ISll or 12. .Vfter laboring' in sundry ])laces as a stated supply, he was 
settled as tlk' suct-essor of his father, over the church at (Jreenwich, Conn., in 1818. After 
a successful ministry of a few years, he resigned this charge and became pastor of the 
church in Bristol. L. I. He lost his voice in 1831, and though he occasionallv preached, 
he was never again a pastor. He died in New York, -id September, 1854, in liis 82d year. 
— Sprai/Hc's Ainials, i, ()67. 

I Mr. Freeman was pastor of the church of Hopewell (Crawford, Orange co.), from 
August. 1793. until April, 1798, where his labors were very successful. (B((/«-\s Orange 
('oiniti/. 341.) He was a man of more than ordinary ability, as his published sermons 
attest ; but the tone of his i)reachiiig was perhaps more polemic than it should have been, 
and he is said to have excited the bitter hostilitv of the skeptics who were then somewhat 
munerous and intluential. He resigned his charge in 1804. In connection with Silvanus 
Haight, he conducted " The Cliosophic Hall," an educational institute, at his residence in 
Montgomery street (subsetpiently the residence of Samuel Williams), which was organ- 
ized in 1799. He was afterwards for manv vears i)astor of the rresbvterian church of 
Brighton, N. J., where he ilied in 1824 or '25." 

§ The sernnui on this occasion was preached bv the Rev. Ebenczer Grant, from Malachi 
n, 6. IMr. Burnet was a graduate of Princeton college (1799). an amiable, jiious, and de- 
voted young man. but feeble in health at the time ot his settlement. Indeed, he was even 
then laboring under the disease -consumption- which soon ended his labors and his life. 
He was compelled to seek a more congenial climate, eiu-lv in the autunui of 1806. On his 
way S(nith. he was taken so ill as to be obliged to stop at the house of a friend in New 
Bnmswick, where he died on the 22d Nov., 1806. 

II '■ On Wednes.lay, 5tli iust., Mr. John Johnston was ordained to the work of the holv 
nnnistry and mstalled over the united congregations of Newburgh and New Windsor. The 
exercises were as folK.ws : Rev. Isaac Van Doren made the praver : the Rev. Isaac Lewis 
delivered the sermon from Col. iii, 11, "But Clnist is all in all.- The Rev. Methuselah 
i.aldwm gave the charge to the ordained minister: and the Rev. Ebenezer Grant gave the 
charge to the people. The several exercises were appropriate and were conducted with 
great solemnity — Political Index, Aug. 15, 1807. 



CIlUIiCJIES, SCIWOLS, ETC. 299 

until the summer of 1856, by Mr. S. H. McMuUen, a licentiate of the 
Presbytery of Philadelphia. On the 20th September of that year, the 
Rev. W. T. Sprole, D. D., was chosen pastor, and on the 28th October 
following, was installed.* He resigned in July, 1872, and was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. W. K. HaU, who was installed in October of that year. 

The building in which public worship was first held, was one erected 
by the commissary-general, as a clothing store-house, while the army of 
the revolution was encamped here. It stood on the site suljsequently 
occupied by the old first church, and was destroyed by fire about the 
year 1790. Dr. Johnston says it was burnt on a Sabbath day, after 
seiwice had been held in it. From an inventory of their (corporate 
property in a return made to the legislature,f the l^uilding appears to 
have belonged to the congregation in 1787, and, from the statement 
in the records that the " congregation assembled at the meeting house " 
(1785), it is probable that it was transferred to them soon after the war. 

There seems to have been some difference of ojjinion in regard to 
the location of the church, after the old building was burnt; but, in 
February, 1791, the trustees voted that "the lot of land where the 
house formerly stood, with the addition tliat Mr. Smith proposes to 
make, be accepted in jireference to any other location" as the site for 
a new church. On the 20th December of the same year, the trustees 
agreed to erect a church 50x55 feet, with tlie addition of a steeple. | 
The ground was staked out on the 25th May, 1792, and on the 31st 
of the same month the deed for the lot was executed by Mr. Benja- 
min Smith. § During the interval between the destruction of the old 
building and the occupation of the new church, the minutes state 
that the meetings of the congregation were "held at St. Greorge's 
church " — i. e. the old Lutheran (;hur(-h. The new building must 
have been occupied in 1793, as it is of record that during that year 
pews were erected and sold. But the interior of the l)iiilding re- 



* The services were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Bowers, Mo(lerat(jr of the PreHbytery. 
The discourse was delivered by Rev. Mr. Phillips, of Rond(jnt, from Exodus xxxii, 15, 16. 
The charge to the pastor was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Jag^^er, of Marlborough, and the 
charge to the peojile by the Rev. Mr. Huiuller, of Kingston. 

t The inventory iS as follows, viz: 

" Meeting house church out of repair, £40 

Land belonging thereto, 200 by 160 feet, 60— £100." 

X This steeple was at tirst simply a square tower which stood on the south side of the 
chur(;h, and form(;d the entrance into the gallery until 1828. A rude drawing of the 
building, on a map of the property of Thomas Golden, made in 1797, represents an en- 
trance to the main building near the center of the east side; but whether this waH the 
main (entrance or not is not known. 

§ The deed referred to shows the grant by Benjamin Smith to Christopher Van Duzer, 
Selah Reeve, John DuB(jis, Daniel Smith, and Derick Amerman, "for and in consideration 
of the sum of five shillings," of a part of the farm wliereon tlie grantor then resided, 
being a lot one hundred and thirty-eight feet by one hundred feet, on tlie corner of Mont- 
gomery and First streets, "for the proper use, benefit and V>ehoof of the Presbyterian 
Church at Newburgh, provided that they shall erect a building thereon for the use and 
accommodation (jf the Presbyterian church and congregation at Newburgh, and to no other 
use whatsoever, unless the Ministers and Elders of said church shall thereto consent." 



300 



II TS TORY OF NEW BUR GIL 



maiued in a half tinislied condition until after the settlement of Dr. 
Johnston, who says that it was without gallery, plastering, or pulpit, 
"a mere shell." " I often preached standing on a carjjenters bench 
with a few l)oards standing in fi-ont on which to rest the precious 
Bible."* Very soon after Dr. Johnston was settled, the interior was 
pjToperly fitted up, and made more tenantable. In 1828 an unsuc- 
cessful effort was made 
to erect a new church of 
stone, 66x70 feet, at a 
cost not exceeding $9,- 
000. Finally, as more 
accommodation was im- 
peratively demanded, it 
w as determined to repair 
the old building, which 
was done in 1828. For- 
merly the pulpit was at 
the north end, and the 
pews were old fashioned 
s q u a V o ones. Though 
the audience room was 
unchanged in size, the 
introduction of slips en- 
abled it to hold a larger 
1 number than it did be- 
i-iKST PKESBYiEuiAN cHi'KCH— 1828. fore.f Undcr this alter- 

ation the building remained until its removal in July, 1871. 

On the 25th July, 1857, the trustees, at a regular meeting, adopted 
the following preamble and resolutions: 

" Whereas, Thu ciiciinistanccs of the church and coiigrcijatioii render it imperative that a 
new edifice l)e erected fer tlieir accommodation, and havint;; the assent and concurrence of 
the pew-holders and members, as appears from the subscriptions for said object, tlierefore 

" Itesolved, Tliat we proceed to accomphsh the same, according to tlie phm and speci- 
fications drawn l)y Mr. F. V. Withers, wliich has been i'.ubmitted for the consideration 
and ado|)tion(>f tiie subscribers; and that the foUowing persons be a liuikhng C'Ommit- 
tee to supervise the same and carrv it forward, viz: S. R. Van Duzer, E. K. Johues, J. J. 
Monell, Henry Ball, Isaac Stanton," and George Clark. • 

" Resolved, That the church edifice be erecti'd upon the lot on the north-west corner of 
Grand and South streets." 

* Mr. Eager relates (Hist. Or. Co., 1-i-t), that at the time of the erection of this church 
the congregation " was too i)oor to finish and place pews in it," and tliat the pku devised 
to seat it was, " tliat every person who clukse to do so should have the privilege of putting 
up iheir own pews wiMi a choice! of location for so doing. Tlu' first person availing him- 
si'll of tins privilege was Mr. John McAulav, whose example was soon followed bv Jlr. 
Hugh \\alsh and Mr. Richard Wood. Others at intervals, did the same, and received 
deeds. This erection of seats went on for some tune, and pews were scattered around the 
buildnig without reference to order or taste. Finally the congregation took hold of the 
matter and eomiileted and systematized the work." 

t The Session House or Lecture Room was built about 1812, {Memorial, 105), but it was 
not fitted up with permanent seats until 1828. It was removed after the eomuletion of 
the present Union Church. 




CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC 



301 



The site fixed upon was purchased, and a contract was made with 
Mr. George Veitch, builder, for the construction of the new edifice for 
$27,500. The work was beo-un on the 8th of August, 1857. The 
building was dedicated November 4th, 1858,* and on Thanksgiving 
morning (Nov. 10), the iron cross was fixed on the si:)ire. 

The building is in the early geometrical style of Gothic art, and 
is composed of a 
nave with clere- 
story, north and 
south aisle, a 
tower and stone 
spire at the east 
end of the north 
aisle, and a porch 
on the south. — 
A lecture room 
and a minister's 
room are provi- 
ded at the west 
end of the build- 
ing. Tlic walls 
are of blue stone 
laid in random 
courses, and 
gray stone dres- 




FIRST PBKSBYTEIilAN CHI'IK H — 1S5.H. 



sings to the copings, windows, doorways, buttresses, water-tables, &c. 
The pews are of yellow pine, and aftbrd comfortable accommodations 
for 830 persons. The principal dimensions of the building, internally, 
are as follows, viz: nave, 97 feet long, 60 feet high, and 25 feet wide. 
The aisles are 84 feet long and 17 feet wide. The lectiu-e room is 
42 feet long and 26 feet wide. The tower is 20 feet and 8 inches 
square at the base, and its height is 63 feet, making, vdth the spire 
and cross, a total of 135 feet from the ground. The extreme length 
of the building, including lecture room, is 159 feet; and its width, in- 
cluding porch, 85 feet. The total cost of the building, with interior 



* The dedicatory services were conducted by the Presbytery of North River, and were 
opened by the Rev. B. F. Phillips, of Rondout, in a short Invocation, which was followed 
by the sentence, " Holy, Lord God of Habaoth," by the choir. The Rev. .John Lillie, D. 
D., of Kingston, then read the 132d Psalm; after which the choir san^' the Anthem. " And 
it shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the Lord's House shall be es- 
tabUshed." The Rev. Mr. Lillie then addressed the Throne of Grace in an earnest prayer; 
and the congrepjation joined in singing Hym 509, " How beautious are their feet," &<•. 
The Rev. Mr. Phillips then delivered the dedication sermon from the text, Mat. xxvi, 8, 
" To what purpose is this waste ?" Rev. Doct. Sprolc followed in a few brief remarks, 
showing the necessity that had compelled the erection of the new edifice; and after con- 
cluding, made an impressive dedicatory prayer. The choir then sang the anthem, '' How- 
beautiful in Zion," and the audience was dismissed with the benediction. 



:^()2 



in STORY OF NEWBlUUni. 



fittings complete, including land, iron fence, bell, &c., was about 
$43,750. An organ, buOt by Geo. Jardine & Son, of New York, and 
costing $3,000, was obtained in September, 1860. It only remains to 
add, that the congregation resolved to sell their old place of worship, 
which was accordingly done to the Union Church in March, 1859. 

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The proposiil to organize a Second Presb>i;erian Church was lirst 
discussed in 1837, but nothing was done until April, 1838, when Dr. 
Johnston preached an earnest and forcible sermon on the subject. At 
his suggestion, a meeting was held to consider the propriety of send- 
ing a colony from the old church. The meeting was held in the first 
chiirch. May 15, 1837, William Walsh being chainnan, and J. H. Wells, 
secretary. After discussion, it was unanimously " Resolved, That 
measui'es be immediately taken to forward the enterprise." 

Accordingly Messrs. J. H. Corwin, Abel Belknap, and O. M. Smith, 

were appointed a committee to ascertain the number of persons willing 

to unite for this purpose. On the 2'2d May, at an adjourned meeting, 

the following named persons were reported as ready to associate and 

walk together as a chiu'ch, viz: 

Abel Belknap, 
Sarah M. Belkna}: 
Hcury Tice, Jr., 
Charlotte Tice, 
Edgar Perkins, 



0. M. Smith, 
Helen M. Smith, 
Saml. Tiithill, 
Sarah TiithOl, 
Jeflerson Roe, 
Mary Roe, 
Eliza C. Boice, 
Wni. H. Wells, 
Robert Sterling, 
Isabella Sterling, 
Asa Sterling, 



.John H. Cormn, 
Cyntlia Corwin, 
.Tas P. Buchanan, 
Sarah Buchanan, 
Daniel D. T. Blake, 
D. McDowall, 
Abigail Waters, 
J. R. Hartlenburgh, 
Wni. M. Johnson, 
Jane E. Johuson, 
Eli Corwin, Jr., 



Ann Forsyth, 
Abigail Wells, 
William Waller, 
Henry Vail, 
Seth Belknap, 
Geo. M. Gregory, 



Hiram K. Chapman, 
Jane Chapman, 
Peter H. Foster, 
Mary S. Foster, 
Wm. Townsend, 
Lydia C. Parkham, 
George T. Hoagland, 
Betsev Harris, 
Mary'E. Waterfield, 
Jas.H. Reynor, 
Job Clark. 



It was immediately and unanimously resolved to apply to the Pres- 
bytery, which was to meet on the 9th of June, for an organization 
as the Second Presb;\^erian Church of Newbiu-gh. Mr. William 
Sterling was deputed to present the application and to ask for sup- 
phes for six months from the Presbytery. The request was granted, 
and the church was organized on the 15th June, by a committee of 
the North River Presbytery, consisting of the Rev. Messrs. Johnston, 
Prime, and Ostrum. The follo-ndng persons were chosen i-uling 
elders, viz: J. H. Corwin, Hii'am K. Chapman, Abel Belknap, Jas. P. 
Buchanan. Mr. Ostrom gave the charge to the church, and Mr. S. I. 
Prime to the elders. 

The first public serWce was held in the coui*t room in the academy, 
when Rev. S. I. Prime preached from Amos vii, 5, "By whom shall 
Jacob arise, for he is small." The pulpit was for some time suppUed 
by the Presb;ji;ery. On the 20th August, Messrs. Peter H. Foster, 
Jefferson Roe, Edgar Perkins, Samuel Tuthill, O. M. Smith, and 
Henry Tice, Jr., were chosen trustees. 



CHURCnKS, SCHOOLS, ETC. 



308 



During the greater part of 1838 and '39, the Rev. Al^ram C. Bald- 
win supphed the pulpit. In the former year the prospects of the 
infant chvirc;h were very seriously aflfected by the disruption of the 
Presbytery. Most of those concerned in starting it, who had strong 
Old School affinities, returned again to the old church, whi(-h adliered 
to the O. S. Assembly. The second church recognized that which 
styled itself the constitutional. Though weakened by this cause, the 
church made vigorous eflbrts to grow. The Rev. William Hill was 
the first pastor, and filled the office until the winter of 1843, when he 
was deposed by his Presbytery for what was deemed heretical doc- 
trine on the subject of christian perfection. After a vacancy of some 
months, the Rev. John H. Lewis became the pastor, and discharged 
the duties of the office very acceptably until called to Bethlehem in 
1845. He was succeeded, for a short time, by the Rev. J. C Beach, 
and next l:)y the Rev. John Gray who remained as supply until the 
spring of 1851, when a division arose in the congregation on the ques- 
tion of his settlement as pastor. Before this matter was adjusted, a 
vote of the church was taken, and, by a majority of onp, it was re- 
solved no longer to receive sup- 
plies. This vote closed the doors 
of the meeting house and virtu- 
ally disbanded the society, which 
had never become strong. 

In 1840-'41, the society erect- 
ed the meeting house at the 
comer of High street and West- 
em avenue, at a cost of $6,600, 
in which divine worship was ob- 
sei'ved until the church ceased 
to exist. The bviilding was de- 
signed to accommodate about 
six himdred persons. It was 
sold, in 1852, to the Second Methodist Episcopal church. 

CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The cii'cumstances which led to the organization of this congrega- 
tion, as well as its subsequent history, are briefly stated in a historical 
sketch which was published by the trustees, in connection with their 
annual report, August 1857. In this paper it is said that the Rev. 
S. H. McMiillin, who had served as supply during the illness of the 
pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, performed the duties of his 
engagement until about three months after Dr. Johnston's death. 
After hearing several other candidates for the vacant pastorate, "a day 
was fixed," says the sketch to which reference is made, " on which, ac- 




KK((JNI) I'liKSIiYTEIilAN IHIIKH — ll-(41. 



304 HISTORY OF NEWS URGE. 

cording" to notice given, the congregation were to select a pastor. 
"WTien, however, all had assembled, a question arose as to whether 
females should be permitted to vote, which was decided in the affirm- 
ative. The vote was taken and restdted, one hundred for Mr. McMul- 
hn and seventy-four for another person. Messrs. William K. Mailler 
and Robert Sterling were then appointed commissioners to prosecute 
the call before the Presbytery ; and the meeting adjourned. 

" At the meeting of the Presbytery, when the caU was considered, 
a remonstranc^e was presented, by the minority of the congregation, 
against the settlement of Mr. McMullin. In consequence of this re- 
monstrance, the Presbytery intimated to the commissioners that they 
would not, in all probability, permit the call to be prosecuted ; and it 
was withdrawn without any formal action being taken. 

"Immediately after the return of the commissioners, a meeting of 
the congregation was held to hear their report; when it was resolved, 
by a majority of votes present, "that the commissioners be directed to 
prosecute the call." The Presbytery, however, continued to regard 
the caU asincxpcdicnt ; and a meeting, called for the purpose of its 
consideration, faiLd to accomplish the result desu'ed. 

"The situation of aftaii's becoming known, the following paper 
asking for certificates of membershii") and dismission, was presented 
to the Session of the Church on the 27th day of August: 

" To (he Sessio)!. of thr First Prcsbiiterlan Church of Ihe Village of Xeirhiin/li, : 

The andersigncd, Tiumbers in full cominnnion of the First Presbyterian Church of the 
Village of NewiinrRli, do horohv respectfully rtiquest yon to grant them cortiticates of 
membership and dismission, f(u- the purpose of being organized into a Church, to be 

known as the Presbyterian Church of the Village of Ncwburgh: 

John McClelland. Mary Albertson, E. L. Spalding, Eliza Rogers, 

Abigail W. McClelland, Alexander Hargrave. Catharine Sly, Jerusha Gerard, 

James C. McClelland, Mary Ann Hargrave, M. W. N. Johnston, Sarah Ludlow, 
Sally R. Logan, Amcha Birdsall, Robert Wallace, Delia Smith, 

Abby L. Scott, Wm. (I. Crillespie, Marv Ann Wallace, Hugh S. Banks, 

J. Ferguson, Wm. McClughan, Marv G. Starr, Ros;xlie H. Banks, 

Sarah McElrath, Mary D. McClughan, Eliza. P. Spior, Hugh MeKissock, 

Anna Pettie, Hannah Andruss, Sarah Waugh, Agiies MeKissock, 

Anna M. Clugston, Mary Burnett, L. Bradford, Laura A. Gorham, 

Margaret Strachan, Catharine Hamilton, Eunice McKune, Rachael Clugston, 

Amanda L. DuBois, Anna E. Roe, Rebecca Brown, Sarah Hildrcth, 

Elizabeth Blake. 

"On the first day of Sejitember, 185G, the church Extension Com- 
mittee of the Presb_>i,ery of North River, met in the session room of 
the First Presbyterian cluu-ch: Present— B. T. Phillips, Wm. H. Kirk, 
F. T. Wilhams, ministers; and Peter V. B. Fowler and Benj. Tyler, 
elders. The petition of the persons above named was presented, 
asking to be organized into a Presbyterian chiu-ch, to be known as 
"The Calvaiy Presbv-terian Chiu'ch of Newburgh ;" and, after the ex- 
amination of theu- certificates, it was, on motion, "Resolved, That the 
request be granted." The applicants then formally agreed and cove- 
nanted to walk together in a chui-ch relation, according to the ac- 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC 305 

knowledged doctrine and order of tlie Presbyterian chiircli. Messrs. 
Wm. G. Gillespie and John McClelland were then unanimously elected 
ruling elders, by the congregation. Mr. Gillespie was duly ordained; 
and Mr. McClelland and Mr. Gillespie (the former having previously 
served as an elder in the First Presbyterian chm-ch) were formally 
installed as elders of the Calvaiy Presbyterian church of Newburgh. 

"On the 15th day of September, Rev. S. H. McMvillin was unani- 
mously elected pastor of the church. The call was presented to him 
at a meeting of the Presbytery, held at Buttermilk Falls on Tuesday, 
October 7th, and accepted by him; and, on the 16th day of the same 
month, lie was ordained to the work of the Gospel ministry, and in- 
stalled pastor of the c^hurch, in the Coui-t-house at Newburgh. The 
services on the occasion were conducted by Rev. Dr. Jones of Phila- 
delphia, who preached the sermon; Rev. E. K. Brower, who offered 
the ordaining prayer and proposed the constitutional questions; Rev. 
B. T. Phillips, who gave the charge to the people; and Rev. F. R. 
Masters, who gave the charge to the pastor. 

" On the 20th October, an election for trustees was held in the Coturt- 

house — elders John McClelland and Wm. G. Gillespie presiding 

which resxilted in the choice of Messrs. Moses Upright, Wm. K. 
Mailler, Walter H. Gorham, Wessel S. Gerard, Peter Ward and 
Charles Johnston. 

" The first meeting of the Session of the church was held on Friday 
evening, 0(^tober 17th, at the residence of Mrs. C. Sly, in High street. 
At the meeting of the Session, on the 31st October, the following per- 
sons were admitted on profession of faith : Mrs. E. C. Gillespie, Mrs. 
M. A. Casement, Miss M. Casement; and the following by certificate: 

Asa Sterling, Wm. K. Mailler, Susan A. Jessup, Julianna Tyler, 

Phcebe E. Sterling, Hannah P. Mailler, Margaret Shields,. Mary Bovd 

Margaret Sterling, Mary E. Halstead, Jane Shields, Marietta'Watkins, 

Mary Sterling, Zipporah Clark, John Little, Jane Ellen Roe 

Nancy Sterling, Ann Barr, Ann Little, Maria Minor 

Robert Sterling, John L. Westervelt, Isabella M. McMullin, Deborah Blake 

Maria Sterling, Catharine Westervelt, Benj. Tyler, Wni.and Sarah Gervin. 

"The first communion of the church was celebrated on the first 
Sabbath in November, 1856, at which time the membership had 
reached eighty-one. 

"Soon after the organization of the chiu-ch, it was determined to 
erect a suitable edifice — the pubhc services, in the meantime, being 
held in the Court-house. A subscription was opened and a sufficient 
sum subscribed, during the winter of 1856, to justify the trustees in 
purchasing a site on Liberty street, and procuring a plan for the 
building. From different plans which were submitted, one drawn by 
Messrs. Gerard & Boyd was selected; and estimates having been in- 
vited, the contract for erecting the building was awarded to Mr. John 



020 



306 



HISTORY OF XEWBURGH. 



Little. A Iniildino- oommittee of throe trustees, viz: Messrs. Mailler, 
Gorham and AVard, was appointed ; and Mr. AVithers, architect, was 
enn:af}:ed to superintend the work. The gToiind was broken in the 
month of April, IcSf)? ; and the corner-stone laid, with appropriate 
exercises, on the 9th of July following, at 2 P. M. The services com- 
menced by sinpfino^ the hymn entitled, "Beyond the starry skies." 
Rev. Dr. McLaren followed -vnth a very appropriate address to the 
Throne of Grace, and a portion of the Scriptures was read by the Rev. 
Dr. McCarrell. Chas. Johnston, on behalf of the trustees, then read 
a statement showing: the oroanization and progress of the church, 
which was followed by the hymn, "Let every heart rejoice and sing-." 
The Rev. Mr. Crowell, of Philadelphia, then delivered an address, 
which was followed by the lading of the corner-stone by the Rev. Dr. 

Forsyth, who, on 
account of the ill 
health of Mr. Mc- 
^^^'i IMullin, had been 
selected by the 
trastees for that 
duty. Dr. For- 
syth introduced 
the ceremony by 
a short address, 
and was followed 
by Rev. Alex. R. 
Thom])son. The 
exercises c*l osed 
with an anthem 
by the choir, and 
1 1 h e benediction 
by Dr. Fors^-th. 
The building was 
dedicated on the 
24:thof February, 
1858. The servi- 
ces were opened 
by an antliem by 
the choir, and in- 
vocation b y the 
pastor. The Rev. 

Dr. Sprole tlien read a selection from the Scriptm-es, which was follow- 
ed by .singing the 5(Utli hymn. Prayer was then offered by Rev. Dr. 




I Vl.\ VUV lUKMlVTKHlAN' CHl'IilH — IH'lS 



McCan-ell, and the 502d liy 



mn sung. 



Rev. Dr. Murray, of Elizabeth, 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. 307 



N. J., then delivered a discourse from 1st Kings, vi:4, and vii:63. At 
the (conclusion, the congelation arose, and, with impressive words, 
the speaker dedi(;ated the house to the worship of God. The services 
were concluded with prayer Ijy the pastor, and the sinj^inj^ of a hymn. 

"The style of the church edifice is that sometimes known among 
architects as Flemish, having, however, many of the peculiarities of 
th(! Gothic. It has a front of 50 feet on Liberty street, running back 
to the depth of 9(5 feet, with a lecture-room in the rear. The audi- 
ence room is 72 by 52 feet — the lecture-room 62 by 22 feet. The 
aspect of the interior is that of severe simi^licity. A trestle-work 
supports the roof, obviating the necessity of pillars, thus affording an 
unoljstructed view from every part of the house. All the wood-work 
is grained, the pews being of <rhestnut oiled and grained so as to re- 
tain the natural color and grain of the wood; and the finish through- 
out has a pleasing eff(^(;t. The cpst of the ])ULlding, lot, fencing, fur- 
niture, (fee., was about $21,500." 

Mr. McMullin continued in pastoral relation with the chtu-cli until 
January 24, 18(50, when, in c(msequence of iU health, lie tendered his 
resignation, to take effect May following. On the 19th December, of 
the same year, llev. Judson H. Hojikins was installed, .and subse- 
quently served until July, 1H04, when, at his request tlu; relation was 
dissolved. He was without a successor until March, 18(i(i, when the 
Rev. George S. Bishop, of Tnnton, N. J., was installed, juid contin- 
ued in the relation untU October, 1872, when, at his own request, and 
by consent of the church, he was relieved of the charge by the Pres- 
bytery. His successor, ReA-. Jeremiah Sciarle, of Peekskill, was elected 
in February, and installed May 6, 1878. 

To its real estate the society added, in 18(57, a parsonage at a cost 
of ij;9,000; and, to its appointments, during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. 
Bishop, an organ and a bell. 

UNION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

This church was founded July 18, 1887, by a colony of twenty- 
seven persons who belonged to the First Associate Reformed Church. 
Their names are as follows: 

E. W. FarrinKton, Mrs. Farringtoii, .lariics Blacklaw, Mrs. Blacklaw, 

Thornton M. Niven, Mrs. Niven, .Tames Danskin, Mrs. Danskin, 

.John Wise, Mrs. Wise, Stewart Kelly, Mrs. Kelly, 

John Beverirtge, Mrs. Beveridffe, .John .James Monell, Miss E. Cypher, 

Arnold McNear, Mrs. McNear, Mrs. E. Purdy, Miss C. Anderson. 

James Johnson, Mrs. .Johnson, Mrs. Catharine Stewart 

Matthew Sims, Mrs. Sims, Mrs. X. Barclay, 

The meeting for organization was held in the First Associate Re- 
formed church (July 13), and was conducted by Rev. Dr. McJimpsey 
and Rev. James Mairs, constituting a committee of the Presbytery, 
The sermon was by Dr. McJimpsey from John xvi:7. The following 



•M)H 



HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



'•;:-<"■ 




persons were elected as ruling- elders, viz: John Beveridpfe, E. Ward 
Farrino-ton, Thornton M. Niven, John Wise. On the 5th of Decem- 
ber follo'\\dno-, the Ecw John Forsyth, Jr., was installed pastor — the 
services being held in the Academy, where the congregation met for 
worship until the completion of the church edifice. The Rev. Dr. 
McJimpsey preached the sermon; the Rev. Drs. Wallace and McLaren 
gave the charges to the people and the pastor. 

A church edifice was 
erected on a lot at the 
corner of Water and 
Clinton streets, which 
had been given to the 
c • I > n ' n* ^' n;' 'T- 1 i o n for this 
pur|)ost>. Ground was 
broken on the \Tii\\ July, 
1887, nnd the building 
was dedicated on the 1st 
d;iy of May, ISJiS, when 
a suitable sermon was 
delivered by the Rev. Dr. 
M. N. McLaren, then of 
Here the congregation continued to worship until 
IVIarch, 1851), when the property was sold to the rector and vestry of 
8t. George's church. The last time it was used by Union church, 
the sermon was preached by the first pastor, Dr. Forsyth. 

Dr. Fors;v'th was elected to a professorship in the College of New 
Jersey at the end of the year 1846, but he did not retire from the pas- 
torate until near the autumn of 1847. He was succeeded by Mr. 
Al>raham R. Van Nest, a recent gTaduate of the Theological Seminary 
at New Brunswick, who was ordained and installed pastor on the 
2()th of June, 1848. Mr. Van Nest erniained here about a year. He 
was called by the Reformed Dutch church, 2 1st street. New York, and 
having accepted the invitation he removed thither in the spring of 
1845). Almost immediately upon his departure, the Rev. Dr. Robert 
McOartee, formerly of Canal street church, but at this time of Goshen, 
was called, and, having accepted the invitation, Avas installed Aug. 17, 
1841). Dr. McCartee labored here Avith gTeat acceptance and success 
until 1855, when he removed to New York to take the pastorate 
of the 25th street A. R. church. Union clmrch was supjihed by 
vai-ious persons during the first six months or more after Dr. Mc- 
Cartee's removal, pai-ticularly hy the Rev. Mr. Cunningham. Finally, 
the Rev. Mr. Jack — who had graduated in the Seminary in the spring 
of 1856— was called, ordained, and instiilled June 2d, 1856, by the 



Hamptonburgh 




UNION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-1876. 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC 309 



Presbytery of New York. On this occasion the sermon was preached 
by the Rev. John Brash, of New York, who also proposed the usual 
questions to the candidate, and offered the ordaininf? prayer. The 
charge to the j^astor was s"iven by the Rev. G. M. McEachron of Mon- 
gauj) Valley; and that to the peojjle by Rev. Dr. Forsyth. Mr. Jack 
was succeeded in 1869, by Rev. Wendell Prime, and the latter by Rev. 
C. C. Hall who was ordained and installed December 2d, 1875. 

In October, 1859, in consequence of the union of the Associate Re- 
formed and the Associate chvirches, out of which the United Presby- 
terian chiu'ch grew, the congTegation of Union church was induced 
to unite with the Old School branch of the Presbyterian church, and 
is now a component pai*t of that body. 

The old Fii-st Presbyterian edifice was purchased in March, 1859, 
by the Union church, and was occupied by the society until July, 1871, 
when it was removed to give place to the present edifice. The work 
of removal was begun on the 5th of July, 1871, and on the 13th the 
last timbers of the old house were prostrated.* The corner-stone of 
the new edifice was laid on Friday, Sept. 15th, following. The exer- 
cises were conducted by the Masonic fraternity, G. Fred Wiltsie 
ofii dating as Grand Master of the "Grand Lodge of Ceremony." 
The dedication was on Tuesday, Sept. 24th, 1872, on which occasion 
the service was opened wdtli prayer by Rev. Dr. Forsyth. Rev. Dr. 
Ormiston read the 48th Psalm, and the Rev. Wendell Prime the ded- 
icatory- prayer. The discoui'se was by the Rev. Dr. Hall, from 2 Peter 
iii — 2; the closing prayer by Rev. J. B. Wakeley.f 

The edifice is of Gothic architecture from i:)lans by Elkanah K. 
Shaw, of Newbui-gh. It is in the form of a T, and embraces an aud- 
itoriiun Avith gaUeiy and Sabbath-school and lecture rooms. The 
auditorium fronting on First street, is 61 feet wide by 68 feet deep, 
30 feet ceiling, and has, with the gallery, a seating capacity of 1000. 
The Sabbath-school room, fronting on Montgomery^ street, is 33 by 
81 feet, 22 feet ceHing, mth seating for 600 pui^ils. The lecture-room 
is 27 by 57 feet, 15 feet ceihng, seating 3(J0 — total seating capacity 
1900. The windows throughout are of stained glass; the painting is 
in fresco; the pews of chestnut-walnut oiled, and the entire finish 
cheerful. The walls of the building are of hard smooth brick with 
brown-stone trimmings. The First street front has two towers 18x18, 
the east 100, and the west 75 feet in height; the former contains the 

* " On Thursday, July 13th, 1871, at precisely 10 o'clock in the morning, our old church 
yielded its last " bent" to the workmen engaged in its removal, and it is now numbered 
with the things that were." — Index. 

t Wliile the procession was entering the church the quartet choir sang J. Ernest Per- 
ring's ordination anthem, "How beautiful upon the mountains." The organist was Chas. 
B. Ruttenber, of St. George's church, and the following vocalists : soprano. Miss Julia 
Alexander, of Poughkeepsie ; alto, Miss Josepliine Hoase, of Newburgh ; tenor, Prof. 
Cromwell, of Fishkill ; basso, Mr. J. W. Stratton, of Newburgh."— ./oM>-waZ. 



310 



HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



bell and the city clock. The contracts for construction were executed 
by Thos. Shaw & Sons, carpenters, for $18,000, and Thomas Dobbin, 
mason, for $23,000; in addition to which svmis about $19,000 was 
expended for fui'nitm*e, carpets, furnaces, gas and water fixtures, 
etc., making the total cost $60,000. The organ (Reuben Midmer, 
builder,) was the gift of John Gait and John G. Wilkinson. Its cost, 
including painting, was about $5,000. 

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MIDDLEHOPE. 

The project of building a Presbyterian church at Middlehope was 
proposed in January, 1859, and was readily embraced by several of 
the active members of the Presbyterian church at Marlborough. The 
enterprise having received sufficient encouragement to warrant further 
proceedings, a meeting was held (March 12,) at wliich Nathaniel T. 
Hawkins, Peter V. B. Fowler, Jas. Rodman, and Jas. O. ConkHn, were 

appointed "to contract foi' 
and build a church, and to 
take such measures to raise 
funds and to carry out and 
1^ liiiish the work as they may 
tliinlv proper." This com- 
mittee soon after awarded 
the contract for building to 
Jas. D. Purdy, and that for 
l)ainting to Ward & Lt<m- 
ard . The building was com- 
pleted in September, 1859, 
and dedicated on the (Jth 
of October, at an adjourn- 
ed meeting of the Presby- 
tery of North River. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by Rev. 
W. T. Sprole, D. D., reading of the Scriptures by Rev. B. T. PhiUips, 
and the dedicatory prayer by Rev. S. H. Jagger. The building is 30x 
40 feet, with a lobby 8x20 feet. Its cost, including furniture, was 
about $2,500. 

FIRST ASSOCIATE REFORMED CHURCH. 

Until near the close of the last century, the adherents of the Asso- 
ciate Reformed church resident in Newburgh, were connected with 
the chui-ch of Little Britain, which was founded in 1758. Measures 
were taken to gather a congregation in 1797; and a church was 
formed consisting of the following persons, viz: Hugh Walsh, and 
his wife, Catharine AValsh; Daniel Niven, and his wife, Jane Niven; 
Robert Royd, and his wife, Eleanor Boyd; Janet Boyd; Robert 
Gourlay, and his wife, Margaret Gourlay; Derick Amerman; Robert 




CHURCHES. SCHOOLS. ETC HH 



W. JoBes; Elizabeth Belknap, wife of Isaac Belknap; Samuel Bel- 
knap; Hu^li Spier; Alex. Telford, and George Telford. The exer- 
cises in connection with the formal organization of the church were 
probably conducted by the Rev. Thos. G. Smith, at that time pastor 
of Little Britain. 

The legal incorporation of the congregation did not take place 
until Feb. 7th, 1803, when Messrs. Derick Amerman, Hugh Walsh, 
Daniel Niven, Robert Gourlay, Robert Boyd, John BrowTi, Isaac Bel- 
knap, Jr., John Colter, and Robert W. Jones were elected trustees. 
The ruHng elders at this period were Daniel Niven, Samuel Belknap, 
Hugh Spier, John Shaw, and Derick Amerman. 

The first pastor of the church was the Rev. Robert Kerr, who is 
reported to have been a preacher of more than usual ability. He was 
a native of Ireland, and had been settled in the ministry in that 
country. He came to the United States in 1797, and was received by 
the Associate Reformed Presbytery of New York, on the 10th of Oc- 
tober, 1797, and probably began his labors in Newburgh at that time, 
as steps were taken at that meeting of Presbytery to give him a reg- 
ular call. He was installed pastor on the 6th of April, 1799. He re- 
signed his charge on the 14th January, 1802. He subsequently re- 
moved to the south, and labored " with great diligence, approbation 
and success" within the bounds of the Associate Reformed Synod of 
Carolina, until his death, which occurred in Savamiah, 11th June, 
1805, when on his way to the General Synod. 

Mr. Kerr was succeeded by the Rev. James Scrimgeour, who was 
installed as pastor on the 11th August, 1803. He was a native of 
Scotland, and had been settled in the ministry for seven or eight 
years at North Berwick. The loss of health obhged him to resign his 
charge and the work of liis profession for some years. Up to this 
time he had been one of the most popular preachers in Scotland. 
Having recovered his health in a good degree, he was induced by the 
Rev. Dr. John M. Mason to emigrate to America in 1802. He re- 
mained in the pastoral care of the church of Newburgh until 1812, 
when he accepted a call to Little Britain and was installed there on 
the 24th of June of that year. In this charge he remained imtil his 
death in 1825.* 

* The following obituary is from tlie Political Imlex of February 15, 1825 : 
"Departed this life on Friday morning, the 14th of Feb., Rev. James Scrimgeour, minister 
of the gospel at Little Britain, in the 68th year of his age. He studied theology under the 
direction of John Brown, of riaddington, and was settled as pastor of a congregation in the 
Burger connexion, at North Berwick. He was one of the ministers that came to this 
country with Dr. Mason, at the instance of the Associate Reformed Synod in the year 
1802. In August, 1803, he accepted a call from the Associate Reformed" congregation at 
Newburgh, and was for some time pastor of that congregation. The last twelve j'ears of 
his ministry and of his hfe, were spent in Little Britain, having been called by that con- 
gregation, and installed in this charge, the 24th of Jan. , 1812. As a man he was frank, 
sincere and friendly — as a sou, a husband and a father, faithful and affectionate,"' 



312 HISTORY OF NEWBUROH. 

A vacancy occurred after Mr. Scrimgeour's removal, of about four 
years, during which time various unsuccessful efforts were made to 
obtain a pastor. Calls were addressed to Rev. Robert McCartee, and 
to Rev. John Knox, then licentiates and graduates of the Theological 
Seminary; but finally an invitation was given to the Rev. Arthur I. 
Stansbury, wliich he accepted, and he was installed 4th December, 
181G. Mr. Stansbury's pastorate was very brief. He resigned his 
charge in April, 1818, having accepted a call to the Fii'st Presbyterian 
chm-ch of Albany. The Rev. James Chrystie, minister of the Re- 
formed Dutch chiu-ch of Union Village, Washington county, having 
been invited to succeed Mr. Stansbuiy, accepted the call, and was in- 
stalled 20th September, 1818. He remained as pastor, winning the 
warm attachment of the congregation, until October, 1821, when he 
joined the Reformed Presbyterian church and removed to Albany. 
His successor, the late Rev. Dr. McCarrell, commenced his labors here 
as a supply on the 4th Dec. 1822. He was ordained and installed pas- 
tor, 14th March, 1823. The sermon was by the Rev. Dr. John 
McJimpsey; the ordination prayer was offered by the Rev. James 
Scrimgeour; the charges to pastor and people were delivered by the 
Rev. James Mairs, of Galway, N. Y. Dr. McCarrell faithfully dis- 
charged the duties of his office until his death. His successor, the 
Rev. Thomas T. Farrington, began his labors the 1st of July, 1869, 
and continued until his death, June, 1875. He was succeeded by the 
Rev. Jno. McNaughton, December 24th, 1875. 

The first edifice occupied by the church was erected on a lot given 
by James Renwick, of New York, and which now forms part of the 
farm of the late Capt. Henry Robinson. The church stood a little to 
the north and west of the gambrel-roofed house — with its side to the 
river — which forms so conspicuous an object on the hiU west of the 
ship-yards. It was surrounded by magnificent old apple and pear 
trees, and in form was very similar to the First Presbyterian church 
at that time — having a square tower on the south end. Mr. Renwick 
deeded the lot, which was 200 feet square, to WiUiam Renwick, Dr. 
John Kemp, Rev. John M. Mason, Alexander Robertson, Alexander 
Hosack, John Turner, Jr., George Lindsay, Robert Gosman, of the 
city of New York; and Hugh Walsh, George Gardner, Robert Gour- 
lay, Daniel Niven, Robert Boyd, Robert Ferguson, Thomas Tait, 
Robert W. Jones, and Alexander Murray, of Newburgh as " Trustees 
appointed by the said James Renwick, for the Presbyterian church of 
Newburgh in connection with the Associate (Reformed) Synod in the 
U. States of America, — for the sole use and intent that the trustees 
and members of said church should erect a church for Christian wor- 
ship, and also a school-house for the instruction of youth." The 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. 



813 



churcli was completed in 1798,* but no eifort was ever made to erect 
a school-house, the locaHty being wholly vuisuited for such an edifice. 
As the growth of the village was more towards the north than the 
south, the church came to be quite out of town, and very inconveni- 
ently located for the great mass of its members. Accordingly, in 
1821, measures were taken towards the 
erection of a new chiu'ch within the vil- 
lage; the old building was taken down 
in the year just named, and while the 
new one was being built the congrega- 
tion met for worship in the old covirt- 
room in the Academy. The present edi- 
fice was dedicated with ajDpropriate .ser- 
vices on the 4th of January, 1822, on 
which occasion the Kev. James Scrim- 
geour preached from Hoseaviii:17. The 
lot on which the church was erected was 
the gift of Hugh Walsh, one of the foun- 
ders of the society, who also gave the associate ref.'chuhch—i 835. 
largest portion of the lot on which the parsonage stands and which 
was erected upon it in 1820. Internally, the church is unaltered, but 
externally some change has been made since its erection. The cupola 
was completed in 1834 and a bell procured. The lectui*e-room on the 
north side of the church was built about 1840. 

riEST KEFOKMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The origin of this congregation may be traced to the self-denying- 
exertions of a few individuals in the communion of the Reformed 
Presbyterian churcli, who settled in the village of Newburgh and 
vicinity dui'ing the early part of the century, among whom were 
James Clark, O. Gailey, and Robert Johnston. A society for prayer 
and other devotional services was formed and regular^ attended as 
early as 1816 or '17, which proved the means of gathering together 
and combining the efforts of a sufficient number to warrant an ajDpli- 
cation for occasional preaching. From 1817 until 1824, the society 
was supj)Ued with preaching by the Rev. J. R. Willson, D. D., at that 




* There is an anecdote connected with the building of tliis churcli edifice, which, as it 
shows a heart to have been in the right place, we relate. When the building was being 
finished, the trustees and others could not agree about placing a window in the garret: 
some wanted it on the ground of appearance; some that it would ventilate and preserve 
the building; others objected to the expense and that it was not needed — one suggested 
that a blind or false window would answer all purposes of appearance and cost compara- 
tively nothing. Daniel Niven, Esq., in reply to this last proposition said, " that as long as 
he had anything to do with the church there should be no more hypocrisy outside than 
inside of it." The argument was closed, and a very large window, more expensive than 
any in the building, placed in the garret. When this edifice was taken down, the large 
window was preserved, and it now Ues in the garret of the new church, embalmed in the 
pious fragrance of the above remark.— .E'ag^CT''s Orange County, 213. 



814 



msTOBY OF NEWBVBGII. 



time i^astor at Coldenliam. Increasing in numbers, and desirous of 
obtaining a fuller supply of ordinances, the members of the New- 
biirgh branch of the Coldenham congregation, as it came to be called, 
were, by deed of Presbytery, separated fi'om the Coldenham congre- 
gation and, in 1824, organized as a distinct chirrch, of which Samuel 
Wright and John Lawson were elders, and WiUiam M. Wiley and 
John Crawford, deacons. Soon after the organization, Matthew Duke 
was added to the elders, and William Thompson to the deacons. 

The first pastor of the church was the Rev. Jas. E. Johnston, who 
was ordained and installed in 1825. His comiection with it was dis- 
solved in 1829. On the 8th of June, 1830, the Rev. Moses Rooney 
became his successor, and served with great acceptance until 1848, 
when he was compelled to resign on account of failing health. On 
the 14th November, 1849, the present pastor, the Rev. Samuel Car- 
lisle, was installed. 

The society held its first public ser- 
vices in the Academy. Arrangements 
were made for the erection of a church 
edifice in 1818, wliich was completed 
the following year and is still occu- 
pied by the congregation. In 1852, 
it was rebuilt, during which time the 
pubhc services of the congregation 
were held in the Court-house. It af- 
ords accommodations for about five 
himdred persons. It is without architectural features of special note. 

SECOND REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The Second Reformed Presbyterian chui'ch of Newburgh was organ- 
ized by a commission of the New York Presbytery, on the 12th De- 
cember, 1854. The original membership was composed of William 
Thompson, James Frazier and William Johnston, elders; John Law- 
son and James Hilton, deacons, and twenty-six private members. 

In accordance with a call made by the congregation, the Rev. J. 
Renwick Thompson, the present pastor, was installed Dec. 1 9, 1855. 

The public services of the church 
were first held in the Cotu-t-house. Ar- 
rangements for the erection of a church / ■ 
edifice, however, were made soon after 
the organization, and the building was 
completed in November, 1855, and dedi- 
cated on the 25th of that month. The 

morning services were conducted by the sec. ref. preh. church— iss.'j. 
Rev. Dr. Christy, of New York, who delivered an able lecture on the 




FiusT ref. pues. church — 1852. 




CHVRCHEH. SimOOLS, ETC ';>;\^^ 



12th chapter of Isaiah. In the afternoon, the discourse was by the 
pastor of the church, from Genesis xxviii:17; and the eveninf^ services 
were conducted by Dr. Christy. The church building, originally 
without much architectural character, was improved by the addition 
of a tower, etc., in 1872, at a cost of $3,400 It is of brick, and has 
accommodations for six hundred persons. 

FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

On the 25th May, 1858, a union, with reference to which negotia- 
tions had long- been pending, was consummated at Pittsburg, Pa., 
between the two branches of the Presbyterian family known as the 
"Associate" and the "Associate Keformed" churches, under the title 
of the "United Presbyterian Church of North America." The two 
Associate Reformed congregations of Newburgh declined to enter this 
union. The friends of the united church, in these congregations, be- 
lieving that the union was right, and an imj^ortant step toward the 
unity of the chui'ch, petitioned (Nov. 9, 1859,) the New York Presby- 
tery of the United Presbyterian church, for the 'constitution of a 
congregation to be known as the "First United Presbyterian Church 
of Newbiu'gh." This petition having been granted. Rev. Alexander 
McWilliams was ai)pointed hy the Presb_\i;ery to organize the church, 
which then embraced 8(i members. George Gearns, George Lendrum, 
John Geddes, Sr., and Dr. Matthew Stevenson, were elected ruling 
elders, and Andrew Johnston, B. W. Chambers, Thomas M. McCann, 
Jcis. S. Strachan, Robert Hyndman, George Lendrum, George Gearns, 
John Geddes, Sr., and John Brown were chosen as trustees, and the 
society organized Dec. 6th, 1859. On the 31st December, the trustees 
purchased the edifice then occupied by the Baptist church, situated 
on Montgomery street (corner of Foui-th), where the congregation 
has since held public worship. It was enlarged and improved during 
the summer of 1871, at a cost of about eighteen hundred doUars. 
The first pastor of the chui-ch was Rev. Robert Armstrong, formerly 
of Philadelphia, Pa. He was installed March 12, 1861, and contin- 
ued in the office until Oct. 21, 1868, when he was released from the 
charge. The present pastor, Rev. J. G. D. Findley, was ordained 
and installed on the 14th of October, 1869. On the 21st AprU, 1862, 
Messrs. George Guy, Thomas M. McCann and Andrew Jolmston, 
were ordained and installed as ruhng elders in the congregation. 

AMERICAN REFORMED CHURCH. 

The history of this church dates from October, 1834, when the Rev. 
Wm. Cruickshank, on the application of some of the members of the 
Reformed Dutch church in the city of New York, was induced to visit 
Newbiu'gh and undertake the establishment of a church. His efforts 
were successful, and, on the 24th February following, the church was 



316 HISTORY OF NEWBUROH. 

formally organized by the Classis of Orange, at which time Isaac Bel- 
knap, Thomas G. Stansborough, Isaac A. Knevels, and John W. 
Knevels, were ordained elders; and Cornelius Bogardus, Thos. Jessup, 
Daniel Corwin, and Albert WeUs, deacons. Eighteen persons were 
then received into its communion by certificate. 

On the 13th of Aprd, 1835, the Consistoiy invited the Eev. William 
Cruickshank to become their pastor; and the call having been ap- 
proved by the Classis of Orange, he was installed as the first pastor 
of the church on the 22d October of the same year. In December, 
1837, Mr. Cruickshanlc resigned; and, on the 13th of June, 1838, a caU 
was addressed to the Rev. Isaac M. Fisher, wliich was accejDted, and 
he was installed in July. He remained pastor only until the 5th of 
October of the same year, when he resigned, on accovmt of failing 
health. On the 17th of May, 1839, the Eev. F. H. Vanderveer was 
called, and continued the pastor of the church iratLl the 19th August, 
1842, when he resigned. On the 13th September, 1842, a caU was 
made upon the Rev. A. B. Van Zandt, and he was installed by a depu- 
tation of the Classis of Orange on the 14th of December following. 
He resigned in June, 1849 ; and was succeeded by the Rev. Malcolm 
N. McLaren, who was installed Nov. 12th, 1850.* He resigned the 
charge Feb. 5th, 1859, and on the 14th of June, a call was made upon 
the Rev. C H. Mandeville, of Flushing, L. I., who entered upon the 
duties of jDastor August 21st, of the same year.f He resigned Nov. 
1st, 1869. Rev. W. H. Gleason, the present pastor, was called on the 
9th of April, and installed in May, 1870. 

The chui'ch was organized in the First Associate Reformed church | 
edifice; and its subsequent meetings, until the completion of the build- 
ing now occupied by it, were held in the Academy. Mr. Cruickshank, 
the first pastor, devoted all his energies to the interests of the infant 

* The Rev. Malcolm N. McLaren was installed as Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church 
in this place on Tuesday evening last. The introductory exercise was the chantmg of the 
19th Psalm ; this was followed by reading of the Scripture and a very appropriate prayer 
by the Rev. Mr. Schoonmaker. The hynm, " Go preach my gospel, saith the Lord," was 
sung; and the sermon was then delivered by the Rev. Mr. AUigcr from 1st Cor. 2:4~" My 
preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit 
and of power." The choir then sung, 

" Come in, thou blessed of the Loi-d, 
Oh come, in^ Jesus' precious name; 
We welcome' thee with one accord, 
And trust the Saviour does the same." 
The installing form was read by the Rev. Mr. Lee, after which was sung a quartette and 
chorus, " How beautiful are them that preach the gospel of peace; that bring glad tidings 
of good things. Let thy priests, God, be clothed with salvation and let thy saints rejoice 
in goodness." Then followed the Doxology, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow," 
and the exercises closed with the benediction.— ^ozerte, Nov. 19, 1850. 

t During the vacancy between the resignation of Dr. McLaren and the installation of 
Mr. Mandeville, and subsequently during the vacancy between Mr. Mandeville's resignation 
ftnd Mr. Gleason's installation, the pastoral duties of the church were performed by the 
Rev. John Forsyth, D. D. 

X The services on this occasion were conducted bv the Rev. F. H. Vanderveer, who de- 
livered the sermon, and by the Rev. Samuel Van Vechten, who addressed the members 
and congregation. 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC 



317 



church, and its early success was due, in a great measure, to his inde- 
fatigable exertions. He obtained from his congregation, and from 
New York, a handsome subscription for the erection of a church edi- 
fice ; the site for which was selected on the corner of Grand and Third 
streets. The building was commenced abovit October 1st, 1835; the 
corner-stone was laid Oct. 2'2d.* Mr. Warren, of New York, was the 
architect, and Gerard & Halsey, masons, and A. WTiitmarsh, carpen- 
ters, were the 
contractors. — 
Service was 
first held in 
the basement 
on Sun d a y , 
Nov. 13, 1837,t 
and on the 7th 
December fol- 
lowing the edi- 
fice was dedi- 
cated. I The 
financial difii- 
cultiesof 1837, 
seriously affec- 
ted the tempo- 
ral interests of American reformed church — 1860. 

the chiirch; and the Consistory were compelled to submit to a sale 
of the church property (Aj^ril, 1839), which was purchased by Mr. 




* Rev. Wm. Cruickshank was installed October 22d, 1835. Rev. J. H. Bevier, of Sha- 
wangunk preached from Isaiah Ixii — 6. The services were held in the Academy building, 
then occupied by the church for its regular worship. After the installation, tlie congre- 
gation moved in procession to the foundation walls of the church, preceded by the archi- 
tect, builders, clergy, &c., presenting a handsome sight. The corner-stone was then laid. 
Rev. Wm. Cruickshank first read a history of the organization of the Church, and a list 
of papers, &c., which had been placed in the box prepared for the occasion. Rev. Wra. 
S. Heyer offered prayer. The box was then put into the ])lace made for it by Elder Isaac 
Belknap, who made some feeling remarks. Rev. Doct. Brodhedd then delivered an ad- 
dress, standing on the top of the stone buttress. Rev. Thomas DeWitt, D. D., foUov/ed in 
an address which called up the deep feelings of the lieart and carried the imagination 
from the earthly to the heavenly temple. Services concluded by prayer and benediction 
by Rev. Seymour Landon of the M. E. Church. — (Jhristian hdelhgencer, Oct. .31, 1835. 

t The basement room of the noble and imposing edifice erected by the Reformed Dutch 
congjregation of this Village, was opened for pubHc worship last Sirnday morning. The 
services were ])erformed by the pastor, the Rev. Mr. Cruickshank, who, "in the early pai-t 
of the services, solemnly dedicated it to the service of Almighty God, as a place of social 
prayer, for Sabbath School instruction, and for lectures, or the" exposition of the sacred 
Scriptures. — rrfeo'?-o»/(, Nov. 17, 1837. 

X The Reformed Dutch Church of this Village was, on Thursday last, dedicated with ap- 
propriate and interesting ceremonies. The beautiful edifice — interior and exterior — was a 
subject of admiration to a very large concourse of people assembled on the occasion. 
The services consisted of a dedicatory address by Rev. Wm. Cruickshank; and a sermon 
by Rev. Thomas DeWitt, D. D. , from" Psalms Ixxxvii: 3. Rev. R. P. Lee, Rev. Wm. S. 
Heyer, and Rev. F. H. Vanderveer, engaged in other parts of the services of the day. 
Yesterday a sale of pews took place, the proceeds of which amounted to about $3,000. — 
Telegraph, Dec. 14, 1837. 



318 HISTORY OF NEWBUBGIL 

Daniel Farrington, on behalf of the creditors for the sum of $10,053. 
An arrangement, however, was soon after eifected by which Matthew 
V. B. Fowler became the purchaser of the property in trust for the 
church. The debt was greatly reduced, and, in 1849, the Consistory 
was enabled to resume the title. 

The church edifice is of Grecian architecture. It is built of stone 
stuccoed and was originally 50x80 feet with a portico of 20 feet, 
making a total depth 100 feet; the roof was surmounted by a massive 
dome, which formed a prominent feature in the landscape. The style 
of architecture was continued in the interior and gave to the audito- 
rium a cold massive grandeur. The first cost, including lot, etc., was 
about $20,000. The dome proved troublesome and was removed; the 
acoustics of the auditorium were bad, and led to a recessed pulpit. 
During the year 1851, the parsonage was built on the east side of the 
lot on Third street, at a cost of $3,277. It has since been enlarged 
and improved at a cost of about $5,000. The church edifice was en- 
larged, in the faU and winter of 1867-'68, by the addition of a tran- 
sept in the rear 15x22 feet on each side and 20 feet high, giving an 
audience room 100 feet in depth and 82 feet in width at transept. 
The improvements were fi-om plans by J. E. Harney, architect, and, 
including frescoing, grading, &c., involved an expenditure of al:)out 
$20,000. It was reopened for service April 19, 1868. Its seating 
capacity (including gallery) is now about 1000. 

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The first Baptist church of Newburgli was the offspring of the 
Baptist church at Fishkill. From 1740 to 1780, the Rev. Mr. Hal- 
stead, then pastor of the church at Fislikill, performed missionary 
labors at different places in Duchess and Ulster counties; and, in 
1782, succeeded in organizing a branch of the society in the precinct 
of New Marlborough, then recently a portion of the precinct of New- 
burgh. At a regular meeting of this branch church, held on the 
24th of May, 1785, at the house of Reuben Drake (Elder James 
PhiUips presiding), a petition was presented by Nathan EUet and 
WiUiam Piu'dy, on behalf of themselves and others, asking that "the 
society be constituted a separate cluu-ch, and that Jonathan Atherton 
be ordained pastor." The application was granted. The ordination 
as weU as the services constituting the church were held on the 27th 
of May. The minutes state that Elder Dakens preached the ordina- 
tion sermon from Timothy iv :8. Alter prayer by Elder Cole, Elder 
Dakens gave the charge to the pastor and to the church. " Elder 
Phillips gave Bro. Athei-ton the hand and said, in presence of the 
whole congregation, that he owned him as an elder; and so Elder 
Phillips went to prayer. When done, they sang a Psalm, went out, 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. 319 

and now we are left to ourselves." The new orp^anization was called 
the "Baptist Church of Pleasant Valley," and was composed of the 
following members, viz: 

John and Mary Lester, Barth. and Hannah Baker, Jediah Atwood, 

John and Hannah Coller, Jonathan Atherton, Thankful Mackey, 

Nathan and Mary Ellet, |/john Glan, Billaga Jones, 

.Tosiah and Sarali Baker, Phebe Drake, Abraham Strickland. 

David and Hannah Martain, William Pnrdy, 

The membership increased rapidly, and, in 1789, a branch church 
was established at Latintown, and another at New Paltz. On the 24th 
April, 1790, "a number of members were set off by themselves," and, 
on the 2d of Jtme following, were constituted the " Church at New- 
burgh," the members of which were: 

William Brundage, Elder, Gilbert Kniffen, Anna Wyatt, 

Nathaniel Wyatt, Phebe Merritt, Anna Bloomer, 

Matthew Cropsey, Elizabeth Ellet, Oliver Cosman, 

Elizabeth Cosman, Rachel Cropsey, Archibald Ellet. 

The Chui'ch at Newburgh continued in existence until 1817. In the 
meantime (1803) Elder Luke Davis, a Baptist missionary, raised a 
small congTegation at Fostertowii, which was incorporated with the 
original society. William Brundage served as pastor from 1790 to 
1795; Levi Hall from 1796 to 1799, holding service one-third of the 
time; Jetliro Johnson from 1799 to 1803; Luke Davis* from 1803 to 
1811; Wm. C. Thompson, a hcensed preacher but not an ordained 
minister, from 1812 to 1815, and John Ellis from 1815 to 1(S17. whose 
time was equally divided between the Newburgh and the Pleasant 
Valley church. On the 18tli November, 1817, the two churches were 
united under the title of the Union Chui'ch of Pleasant Valley and New- 
burgh, and continued in existence down to Dec. 5th, 1840, when the 
last entry is made in the minutes. From 1817 to 1832, meetings 
were held alternately at Pleasant Valley, where a church edifice had 
been erected in 178(), and in the " Stone Meeting House," as it was 

* Elder Luke Davis was born in the city of Loudon, where he studied medicine and be- 
came a druggist. After he emigrated to Now York, he engaged in the drug business, pre- 
scribed for the sick, and was a ])reacher connected with the Mulberry street Baptist church. 
From New York he removed to Newburgh, and became the minister of the First Baptist 
Church. At the time he had three brothers residing in Newburgh, George, Joseph, and 
Sanniel Davis, who subseiiueutly removed to the town of Thompson, Sullivan county. In 
their new home they were visited by him and while there preached for them and' their 
neighbors. He was so well liked that he was induced to preach foi- them once in three 
weeks (luring the years 1809, 1810 and 1811. He continued tu visit Thompson regularly 
until the summer of 1817, when he became one of its residents. He also labored at Peen- 
pack, Mamakating Hollow, and Foresthurgh. 

The Baptist church in Thom])son was informally organized in the log-liouse of Enoch 
Comstock (subsequently and for many years a resident of Newburgh), on the 2fltli of 
April, 1811. Its formal organizrition took" place on the 16th of .Julj' succeeding, in Nehe- 
niiah Smith's barn. Elder Davis was the pastor of the floek until 1823, when a difficulty 
arose with his people, he having jjemiitted the Rev. John Brown, for so many years Rec- 
tor of St. George's church, Newburgh, to occupy his pulpit and conduct the service, and 
committed some other trivial offences against the rules of the church, which led to a sepa- 
ration. He then returned to New York, became again a preacher of the Mulberry street 
Baptist church, and resumed his old business of selling drugs. He died in New York. 
Dec. 9th, 1852, aged 92 years, leaving two sons Baptist preachers. — Quhi}a»\<< History of 
Snilivaii County, 625, etc. 




320 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 

called, in Newbiirgli. After 1832, meetings were held at Pleasant 
Valley only, and practically the Newburgh branch of the society 
closed its existence. The stone meeting house which it occupied, and 
its burial ground, were on the farm late of John Eodman, near Lup- 
tondale, on the Newburgh and Shawangunt plank-road. The build- 
ing was about thirty feet square with walls 
about twenty feet high, ten feet of which 
were stone, and covered by what is called a 
baiTack roof, rising to about twenty-five feet 
in the center. It was erected about the year 
1800, aud abandoned in 1832. The pulpit 
was on the west — the entrance on the east. In the adjoining burying- 
ground Ik ad-stones mark the resting place of many of the founders 
and supporters of the church, among others of deacon Joseph Cauld- 
weU and of deacon AVm. Winterton. iV parsonage house was also a 
part of the propcrt}', and Orange Lake was the baptismal font. 

No effort appears to have boen made to organize a church in the 
village of Newburgh until 1821. Baptist missionaries, however, fre- 
quently visited tiie place, and among others the Eev. Mr. Price, 
Charles Iilais, and Thomas Powell, the latter afterwards or at tliat 
time (1820) pastor of the church at Cornwall. In 1817, the Hudson 
River Baptist Association made arrangements to supjjly the village 
with missionaries for one year. The Rev. Rufus Leonard held the 
first service under this arrangement in the Academy on the 14th De- 
cember.* From the records of the present church, it appears, that 
on Wednesday evening, February 21st, 1821, a meeting was held at 
the residence of Lydia Ann Hill, for the i^iu-jDOse of consulting in ref- 
erence to the organization of the chm-ch. "As the result of this 
meeting, an invitation was sent to Elder Daniel C. Stears to visit the 
brethren and give them such counsel as circumstances required. On 
the fourth Wednesday in March following, a committee was aj)pointed 
to draft articles of faith and covenant, which were presented and 
adopted at a meeting held on the 11th of April. On the 16th of May, 
the chui-ch was formally organized — Wm. Pierce acting as moderator, 
and Lewis Leonard as clerk. There were fom-teen members at the 
time of its constitvition, five of whom were brethren. This church 
survived, with aU the attending difficulties usual to weak churches, 

* At a meeting of the Hudson River Baptist Association, the following gentlemen agreed 
to supply their brethren and others who may wish to attend their improvement in the vil- 
lage of Newburgh, with i)reaehing for one" year, viz: Revds. John WilHams, Archibald 
Maclay, Johnson Chase, .Jacob Bronner, Mr. (John) ElUs, Aaron Perkins, Lewis Leonard, 
Avery Briggs, Joshua Bradley, Chas. G. Somers, Mr. Wiley. 

Agreeably to the above resolution, the inhabitants of this village are informed that Mr. 
Leonard will preach in the Court-house (Academy) on Lord's Day, the 14th of the present 
month. Exercises to commence at 10 o'clock, A. M. Newburgh, Dec. 9, 1817— .4du. Po- 
mical Index. 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. 321 



until July 12, 1828. During its existence forty-four persons united 
with it, of whom only four were by baptism. The members attached 
to the church at the time of its dissolution removed their member- 
ship, and gradually all trace of it vanished." 

From 1828 until 1834, there was no Baptist church organization in 
the village. On the 23d of December, 1834, however, a meeting was 
held " in the brick meeting house, then owned by the Methodists, for 
the purpose of organizing a church. There were four ministers pres- 
ent, viz: Parkinson, Bernard, Martin, and David James. Having re- 
solved to constitute a church, it was agreed that Elder Parkinson 
preach the sermon. Elder Martin was appointed clerk. Elder Ber- 
nard gave the charge, and Elder Parkinson the right hand of fellow- 
ship. Elder David James was the first pastor of this church, it having 
been formed under his charge. The ntunber of members at the time 
of its constitution is said to have been thii-teen. At the first church 
meeting, held Jan. 10, there were present three brethren and seven 
sisters. The three brethren were David James, the pastor; Wm. 
Mitchell, deacon, and Joseph Chase, clerk." 

Mr. James continued to serve as pastor until January, 1838, when he 
resigned. The church does not appear to have gained much, in point 
of numbers, during his ministry. In April, 1838, Elder Spencer accept- 
ed a call to the pastorate, and served in that capacity until August fol- 
lowing, when he resigned. The pulpit was temporarily supplied by 
Elder James vmtil December, when Elder Van Gilder took the charge. 
He served until July, 1839, when Elder Daniel T. Hill accepted an 
invitation to supply the pulpit every Sabbath morning. This arrange- 
ment continued for only a few months. In July, 1840, Elder George 
Phippen accepted the pastorate and remained in the charge until 
Nov. 1st, 1842, when he resigned. During his ministry the condition 
of the society considerably improved. "Some old difficulties were 
removed, some prejudices which had long existed were broken down, 
and, as a denomination, some progress was made in gaining a more 
favorable opinion on the part of the community." 

The Rev. C. A. Raymond succeeded Mr. Phippen, and entered upon 
his duties on the first Sabbath in November, 1842. He was a young 
man of superior talent and great energy, and under his ministry the 
church rapidly increased in membership. He resigned the charge in 
1844. The Rev. W. S. Clapp, and the Rev. Thos. Applegate,* served 
the church as supplies until April, 1847. In November of that year, 
a call was extended to the Rev. James Scott, who entered upon the 
duties of the pastorate in December, and held the station until Sep- 
tember 11, 1855, when he was removed by death. On the 4th of May, 



* Father of Rev. Octavius Applegate of St. George's. 

02I 



322 



HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 




FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH — 1850. 



1856, the Eev. J. H. Castle accepted the vacant pastorate and served 
until March, 1859. His successor. Rev. Isaac Wescott, entered upon 
the charge May 1st, 1859, and continued pastor until September 13, 
1861. He was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Lasher, who became pastor 
in March, 1862, and resigned April 25th, 1864. In October of the 
same year, Rev. Lyman Wright entered upon the pastoral work, con- 
tinuing in the office until Dec. 31, 1868. His successor was Rev.. E. 
W. Bliss, who accepted the pastoral office April 1st, 1869, and re- 
signed April 1st, 1872. The present pastor. Rev. John Quincy Adams, 
entered upon his duties April 1st, 1873. 

After its reorganization 
in 1834, the church held 
services in the old Mcin- 
tosh house (formerly in use ^ 
by St. George's), and from 
thence it removed to the 
old Methodist chui'ch on 
Liberty street, which was 
purchased b}' the society. 
This building was sold, in 
the spring of 1842, for $925, and on the third Sabbath in May of the 
same 3'ear, the church commenced worship in Washington Hall. In 
1849, an edifice was erected on the comer of Montgomery and Third 

streets (now occupied by the First 
United Presbyterian society), and 
opened for public worsliip in the 
spring of 1850. In the fall of 
1859, the society pui-chased a site 
on South street and commenced 
the erection of the edifice which 
it now occupies. It is 52 by 90 
feet, and is in the Roman style of 
architecture. The tower and spire 
are 175 feet high; audience room, 
50 by 72 feet in the clear; height 
of ceiling, 32 feet. The audience 
room has 156 pews, and will seat 
about 800. The lecture-room in 
the basement is 50 by 55 feet, and 
j| has 100 pews; it was renovated 
^ in 1875. The cost of the build- 
ing and lot was about $19,500. — 
It IS supplied with a baptistery and other modern appointments. It 




FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH— 18t)0. 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. 323 



was dedicated on Wednesday, August 15, 1860, on which occasion Dr. 
Hague, of New York, preached in the morning, from Ephesians iii:19, 
and Dr. Gillette in the evening, from Luke ii:49. 

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH. 

In the summer of 1860 (Aug. 12), Mr. John Hagan, Jr., opened a 
Sunday-school in what was known as the Crystal Palace building, on 
the north side of Washington street, and immediately thereafter a lot 
was procured, on the opposite side of the street, and a small frame 
building erected at a cost of $700. This building was opened Sep- 
tember 1st, 1860, under the name of the "Scott Mission School." In 
the fall of 1867, a larger building of brick was erected, at a cost of 
$5,000, and was opened for seirvice on Tuesday, January 14, 1868. 
Missionaries were employed by the First Baptist church to labor in 
connection with this mission until June 10th, 1871, when forty-one 
members were, at their own request, dismissed for the purpose of 
forming the Second Baptist church, and on September 6, 1871, that 
body was formally recognized by a Council as an independent church. 
Rev. John Gray, who had acted as a missionary, was soon after called 
and ordained to the pastorate, which office he has filled up to the 
present time. The church now numbers 45 members. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. 

The history of the origin of Methodism, and that of its founders, 
John and Charles Wesley and their associates, is too well known to 
require notice in these pages. A brief review of the progress of the 
society in this country, and of the system which was adopted to carry 
forward its missionary labors, is, however, perhaps necessary to a 
proper understanding of the manner in which it was introduced in 
Newburgh. In 1766, a company of Irish emigrants, of whom Philip 
Embury was one, organized a society in New York; and, in 1768, they 
erected in that city the first Methodist church in America.* About 
the same time Robert Strawbridge, who was also a native of Ireland, 
organized a society in Maryland, and built a log meeting-house near 
Pipe creek, in that province. Other emigrants from the British Isles 
who had settled in Philadelphia, laid the foundations of a society in 
that city, which soon rivaled, in point of numbers and active zeal, the 
one in New York. Encouraged by the progress of the sect in Amer- 
ica, Mr. Wesley sent over two additional laborers, in 1769, viz: Rich- 
ard Boardman and Joseph Pilmore, the former being stationed at 
New York, and the latter at Philadelphia. f In 1771, Francis Asbury 

* This building was th«n called "Wesley chapel." It subsequently became known as 
the " John Street church." 

t After his arrival at Philadelphia, Asbury wrote to Wesley that he had found 300 mem- 
bers of the society in New York, 250 in Philadelphia and a few in New Jersey, in all about 
600, without including those in Maryland, of whose numbers at that time he was ignorant. 



324 HISTOR Y OF NEWB URGE. 

and Richard Wright were added to the work; and in 1773, Thomas 
Rankin and George Shadford. Rankin was appointed by Mr. Wesley 
"General Assistant of the Societies in America," and soon after his 
arrival he issued a call for "a conference of all the preachers in 
America," with a view to systematize the work. The meeting was 
held at Philadelphia, July 4, 1773, and was the first "conference" 
that ever assembled in this country. The society then embraced 1160 
members, of whom 500 were in Maryland. 

During the war of the Revolution, the society gradually decreased 
in New York and Philadelphia, but continued to spread rapidly in the 
southern states, so that while its total membership at the close of the 
war was 13,740, only about 1100 were resident north of Philadelphia. 
After the peace, Wesley suggested to his followers in the United 
States that they shovild make an organization independent of the 
society in England. This was accordingly done in 1785, and the title 
of the "Methodist Episcopal Church" was adopted to designate the 
new denomination.* Thomas Coke and Philip Asbur^^ were ap- 
pointed bishops, or superintendents, and the society was divided into 
districts over which "elders" were stationed under whose charge two 
or more preachers were placed. The preachers were then styled " as- 
sistants," and the fields in which they labored were called "circuits." 
The itinerant principle, which is still one of the distinctive features of 
the Methodist church, was adopted, and the i^reachers held their " cir- 
cuits" only for a year. In this way the work was zealously prose- 
cuted, often amid extreme hardsliips, and the society regained the 
ground which it had for a time lost, and won new triumphs in the 
north as well as the south. 

In 1786, New York and New Jersey were divided into two " elder dis- 
tricts," one of which embraced the East Jersey, Newark, New York city, 
and Long Island "circuits," and formed the extreme northern limit of 
the society in the United States at that time. The East Jersey "cir- 
cuit" bordered on Orange comity, and had stationed on it as "assis- 
tants," John McClaskey and Ezekiel Cooper.f While Mr. Cooper was 
on this circuit (1786), one of his public services was attended by 
Col. David McCamley, who invited him to preach at his residence in 
the town of Warwick. Mrs. Arthur Smith, a sister of Col. Mc- 

* Therefore, at this Conference, we formed ourselves into an independent church; and 
following the counsel of Mr. John Wesley, who recommended the Episcopal mode of 
church government, we thought it best to become an Episcopal church, making the Epis- 
copal office elective, and the elected superintendent, or bishop, amenable to the body of 
mmisters and preachers.— Mw. Am. Con. I, p. 22. 

t Ezekiel Cooper was born Feb. 22, 1763, m Caroline county, Maryland. His name first 
appears m the Conference minutes in 1785, though he was previously employed by Bishop 
Asbury. He was the first " editor and general book steward " of the society, having re- 
ceived that appointment in 1800. Sixty-four vears of his hfe was spent in the ministry, 
and he was long regarded as one of the brightest lights of the American pulpit. He died 
on the 21st of February, 1847, at the age of 84 years. 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. 325 



Camley, was visiting her brother at the time of the service there, and 
at her solicitation Mr. Cooper accomj)anied her to her residence in 
Middlehojje, where he held the first Methodist service in the town of 
Newbui-gh. The date at which it was held cannot now be ascer- 
tained, but it was probably in October, 1786. Mr. Cooper, accompa- 
nied by Samuel Pm-dy, also visited at this time John Woolsey, near 
Milton, and having established here ah outpost for missionary labor 
far beyond the bounds of his cu-cuit, he returned to New Jersey. Six 
weeks later, John McClaskey and John Cooper passed over the same 
route, and extended the new circuit to the Paltz, where they held ser- 
vice at the residences of Hendiick Deyo and Andi'ies DuBois. They 
also stopped in the village of Newburgh, and preached in the house of 
Elnathan Foster, where a "class" was soon after formed. In Janu- 
ary, Ezekiel Cooper again visited the district, and held service in the 
house of Saml. Fowler in Middlehope, which was henceforth a regu- 
lar preaching station until 1813. From 1813 to 1822, the meetings 
were held in the summer in a barn owned by Daniel Holmes, and in 
the winter in Mr. Fowler's house. 

The success which had attended the efforts of Mr. Cooper and his 
associates, led to the organization, in 1788, of the Flanders (N. J.) cii*- 
cuit, wliich embraced this section of country. The preachers on this 
circuit were Jesse Lee, Aaron Hutchinson, and John Lee, and it had 
543 members. Li 1789, it was again divided and the Newburgh cir- 
cviit estabhshed, its preachers being Nathl. B. Mills and Andrew Har- 
pending. It embraced 261 of the membership of Flanders circuit,* 

and was divided into the following " classes " or informal societies, viz : 

• 

Saml. Fowler's Class, at Middlehope. Warwick Class, at Warwick. 

Elnathan Foster's Class, at Newburgh. John ElUson's Class.t at New Windsor. 

Munson Ward's Class, at Fostertown. Luflf Smith's Class, near Marlborough. 

Geo. Stanton's Class, at Gardnenown. David Ostrander's Class, at Plattekill. 

Daniel Holmes' Class, at Middlehope. David Stephens' Class, in the Clove. 

Jacob Dayton's Class, near Latintown. ! Richard Garrison's Class, in the Clove. 



Latintown Class, at Latintown 

Samuel Wyatt's Class, at Keytown. 

Schultz's Class, at Dolsentown 

Widow Allison's Class, at Pochuck 



Saml. Ketcham's Class, near Sugar Loaf. 
Arter's Class, Barton's Class, 

John McWhorter's Class, 
Long Pond Class. 



These classes continued to be visited by the cii-cuit preachers until 
they ripened into societies of sufficient strength to support located 
ministers, or until that end was attained by the union of two or more 
classes in a short circuit, in the following order: 

'•' The Flanders circuit was left with a memberslui> of two hundred and eighty-two per- 
sons, which fully corroborates the statement that the Newburgh circuit was previously 
embraced in its bounds. 

t This Class held its services in the upper part of a house which Mr. ElUson erected ex- 
pressly for the purpose in 1790 or '91. The building is still standing, and is situated about 
three hundred feet west of the residence of the late Chas. F. Morton. In 1807, the Class 
was organized into a regular society under the title of the " Methodist Episcopal Church of 
New Windsor." A suitable edifice was erected during the same year. This was the first 
Methodist church in the present county of Grange, and is still occupied by the New Wincj- 
sor society. Several changes, however, have been made in its appearance. 



;V2(; 



UlSTOliY OB- NEWBURGH. 



FIKST OR TRINITY M. E. CHURCH. 

In 1808, the "Newbiii-oh," or "Elnathau Foster's class," as it was 
originally called, was orj^anized into a clinrdi under the title of the 
" Methodist Episcopd Church in the Parish of Newburj>h." Itstnis- 
tees were Morgan Cole, Lewis Carter, AVni. Baker, Joseph Cole, and 
Geo. ^N'estlake.* It continued to be supplied by circuit preachers 
until 18"20, when Saniuel Fowler,! its tirst kx'ated pastor, was ap- 
pointed to the chai-ge. Since that time the following ministers have 
held the station, viz: 



Date. 


KiXine. 


Bc.te. 


Naniv. 


1820 


Sniniul Fowler. 


184(J-47 


Zephaniah N. Lewis 
.lolin L. Gilder. 


1821-22 


Tobias Spit'iT. 


1848-40 


1823 


William Jewi'tt. 


1850-51 


Abiathar M. Osbon. 


1821-25 


Joliu D. ^loriiiily. 


1852-53 


Charles B. ISing. 


182()-27 


Thomas Mason. 


1854-55 


Luthir W. Peck. 


1828-21) 


Robert Seuey. 


185(1-57 


Eilwiii K. Keves. 


1830-31 


Stiiilu'ii L. Stilhnan. 


1858-59 


John W. 15.nu-h. 


1832-33 


Juiues C'ovell. 


1860-61 


Charles Shelling. 


1834 


Williaiu Thatcher. 


Nov. "61 to Ap. 


'62 John Parker. 


1835-36 


Seyiiioiir Laiulon. 


1862-1 vear 


M. D. C. Crawford. 


1837-38 


Joiiu KeuiK'ily. 


1863-66 


Geo. S. Hare. 


1839-40 


Robert Seney". 


18(!6-(;9 


John Milev. 


1841-42 


Edniiuul E. Griswold. 


1869-72 


Wnu P. Abbott. 


1843 


Friend W. Smith. 


1872-75 


Andrew Longacre. 


1844-45 


Davis Stoeking. 


1875 


Geo. S. Hare. 



The class from which the society sprung held its first meeting 
(1786) at the house of Elnathan Foster, which occupied the site on 
w hicli the tirst Presbyterian church edifice now stands. The old Lu- 
theran chiu'ch and the old clothing store-house were also used when 
the cu'cuit preachers visited the station, and after the erection of the 
Academy the sei'vices were held in the upper room of that building. | 
Subseij[uently the old INIcIntosh house was occupied. Immediately 
after the organization of the society, it was resolved (June 8, 1808,) 
to erect "a house of worship, 45 by 35 feet," and George Westlake 
and Morgan Cole were appointed to " circulate subsci-iption papers, as 
well as to have the general dii*ection in erecting the building." The 
sum of $773 was subscribed for the purpose, and a lot on the corner 
of Gidney avenue and Liberty street was pm-chased from Elnathan 
Foster for a nominal consideration. The trustees note their tirst 



* The records of this ehuroh, under date of March 14, 1808, are as follows: 

"liy a resolve this day of the members of the society of the Methodist Episcopal 
chureU in Newburgh, in order to take into consideration the election of live trustees, 
agreeable to an act ol the Legislature of this state, to take charge of the temporal con- 
cerns of a house for religious and divine worship, to be known by the name of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church— 

"llesoivcil, therefore, That one of the official members do pubUsh, on Thursday even- 
ing next, being tlie ITtli day of March, instant, and the stated night for public worship, 
that a meetnig will be held at the house of Morgan Cole on Friday, the 1st day of April 
next, at 3 o'clock iu the afternoon, to elect live trustees for the above purpose." 

t Sauuiel Fowler was the son of Sanuiel Fowler at whose residence the tirst " class " 
was formed. He was admitted to the niiuistrv iu 1791, and continued iu active service un- 
til his death, which occurred on the 2d of February, 1831, at the age of 74 years. 

X There is a tradition that Elnathan Foster, iu subscribing to the tinishiug of the upper 
rooms of the Academy for the use of the courts, made a condition that the Methodists 
should be permitted to occupy them, which was accepted. 




TRINITY M. E. CHURCH 1861. 



p327 



VHUIiCIIES, SCHOOLS, ETC 



327 




meetino- in this buildinj^, wliicli was called the "Brick Chapel," under 
date of Febniary 18th, 1811, but it was undoubtedly occupied at an 
earlier period. Even then, however, the interior of the edifice was not 
linished, nor was it completed until 181G or '17. 

In 1883 (Dec. 28), the trustees of the church resolved to build "a 
new meeting house, to be 50 by (52 feet, after the plan of the Wash- 
ington street M. E. Church, Brooklyn, capable of accommodatiu}^- 
1000 persons." A suitable site was purchased on Second street, and 
on the 29th July, 1884, the cor- 
ner-stone of the edifice was laid 
with appropriate ceremonies. * 
The building was completed in 
1835, and was dedicated k.\)Y\\ 
Ist of that year. Its cost was 
about $10,000. A parsonage on 
Montgomery street was subse- 
quently added to the proi)erty. 

In the spring of 1800, the society ^ihs, m. k. . M.ia u-ih.;u. 

determined to build a new edifice, and for that i)urpose the trustees 
purchased a site on the corner of Libei-ty and Third streets. Plans 
by R. Lockwood, architect, were adopted and the contracts awarded 
to Little & KeUy, carjjenters; John Little, mason, and Madden & 
Fitzgerald, stone-work. The corner-stone was laid Nov. 14th, 1860, 
by Bishop Janes.f One year from that date (Wednesday, Nov. 18, 
18G1), the building was dedicated, in the usual form, by Bishop Simp- 
son, of Indiana. It is in the decorated style of the thirteenth cen- 
tury Gothic, and has a fi'ont on Libei-ty street of 73 feet 6 inches by 
140 feet on Third street. The chief features of the exterior consist 
of three towers with their entrances, the transept and the lecture- 
room front. The center tower and spire rises to the height of 180 
feet; the side towers to G8 feet. The interior dimensions are: Nave, 
85 feet long by 02 feet wide ; transept 78 feet long, terminating at the 
ends with large enriched windows. The ceiling of nave and transept 
is 40 feet, and is richly groined and ribbed. The auditorium contains 
150 pews; the lecture-room, on the second floor in the rear, will ac- 
commodate about four hundred persons, and the class-rooms on the 
first floor are large and convenient. The cost of the building and 
lot was about $85,000. An organ was added in February, 1870, at a 
cost of $5,000, It only remains to add that the title of the church 



* Tlie building was erected by Sylvanus Loud, buiJder, and Henry Vellnian, niaHoii. 
The trustees of tix; church at that time were Levi 1'. Dodge, Robert" I'liilhps, Sylvanus 
Loud, Allen Lockwood, and Ahmson Ilandol. The original entrance was Ijy a flight of 
steps extending nearly the full wiiltli of tlie front. 

tThe stone used was taken from the old church on Second street ; the original papers, 
etc., which it contained were redeposited with those of the later period. 



:V2S 



lllsroRY OF N^WBURGH. 




ASIU'UY OHAPKL — 1860. 



wascliano-ed from "First" to "Trinity" in 1871. The property of 
the church on Second street was sold to private pai'ties, and subse- 
quently converted into an opera house. 

MIDDLEHOPE M. E. CHURCH. 

The originjil "Sanuiel Fowler's class" and the "Daniel Holmes' 
class," were organized into a church, Dec. 14, 1821, and "Wm. Smith, 

Daniel Holmes, David Wyatt, Gilbert 
Holmes, and Daniel Merritt, were 
elected trustees. Arrangements were 
soon after made for erecting a cluu'ch 
cditice, which was dedicated Dec. 29, 
1822, luider the nanu' of "Asbuiy 
Chapel."* It has always been sup- 
plied by I'ircuit preachers, and is now 
associated with the M. E. church at Fostertown, the two churches 
forming the "Noiih Newburgh ciiruit." Its building has undergone 
some slight ju'chitectural changes since 18(U). 

GARDNERTOWN M. E. CHURCH. 

In 1825, the "George Stanton's class" was organized into a church 
and (Dec. 15) Bin-roughs "Westlake, Joshua Marston, David A^^ Gid- 
ncy, Silas B. Gardner 
and Robt. Lockwoi>d 
were chosen "Trus- 
tees of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church at 
Gai-dnei-town." — A 
hoiise of worship was 
erected the next year 
tmd was dedicated on 
the 20th November. 

It rem,uned m occ.i- -:::^.i;^^..^^^^^^^- 
pation until Nov. 24, u.uu.NEimnvN m. e. .^^t^^h^^^T^ 

1858. The present edifice was from plans by E. K. Shaw. It was 
erec-ted in 1858, imder contract with Thomas Shaw & Sons, at a cost 
of S2,75(), and was dedicated Nov. 24:th. It is a simple Gothic chapel 
accommodating about four hundred persons. The society was for 
some yeai-s associated in a cii-cuit with that at Little Britain. 

ROSSATLLE M. E. CHURCH. 

The M. E. chui-ch at Eossville was organized Oct. 8, 1830, when 




♦"Dedication.— The Methodist Moetiiiii-lunisf, to be known by the uaine of the -4.s-- 
hurii ( hopel. h\tely erected about three niiU's north of this vilhiffe, was dedicated to the 
worship of Ahniglity God, on Sabbath. 2'.)th inst. During the day three very appropriate 
discourses wore deUvered. Kev. E. Smith, Rey. A. Scok-tieUl, and Itov. S. AruoUt officiated 
oa the occasion — Political Index, Dec. 31, 1822. 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. 



329 





F08TEBT0WN M. E. CHURCH — 1859. 



Thomas Aderton, Alvah Warin;^, Wm. Penny, John Bushfield, Nehe- 

miah Fowler, Thomas Bushfield, and Gilbert Lockwood, were elected 

trustees. The edifice now occupied by the 

society was erected in 1831. It is 30 by 42 

feet, and cost originally about $00(i. It was 

consideraV)ly improved and refurnished and 

painted in 1870. The society cannot be 

satisfafttorily traced to any of the original 

classes. It is now associated with the M. E. 

church at Pleasant Valley, Ulster county, 



KOWHVII.LE M. K. I'HL'UIH — iH'>'.>. 

in the support of a minister. The parsonage is at the latter place. 

FOSTEKTOWN M. E. CHUUr;H. 

On the 31st Dec, 1833, the "Munson Ward's class" was organized 

us the M. E. church at Fostertown; and 
David Wyatt, Jethro Allison, John F. Wil- 
liams, Jacob Gillis, and Wm. 8. Holmes, 
were elected trustees. In 1834, the build- 
ing now occujaed by the s(jciety was erected 
and was dedicated in September of that 
year. Like its contemporaries of the pri- 
mitive Methodistic era, it has been improv- 
ed since its original dedication, but has no architectural claims. 

SECOND OR ST. JOHn's M. E. CHURCH. 

The organization of this church was effected through the instru- 
mentality of Joseph Longking, Henr}' Cornell, and James Martin, 
who proposed t(j the trustees of the 1st M. E. church (1851; that 
that body should hire iVjr the use of such a society the building for- 
merly occupied by the second Presbyterian churcli — the applicants 
agreeing to pay the interest on the del)t then existing on that build- 
ing for one year. The trustees, however, declined to take any steps 
in the matter. After further consideration, and with the approval of 
the i:)residing elder of the district and of Rev. A. M. Osbon, the 
preacher stationed in Newbiu-gh, Mr. Longking and his associates de- 
termined to prosecute the enterprise; and in compliance with their 
request the presiding elder appointed Rev. Aaron F. Palmer, a local 
deacon, preacher in charge until the ensuing session of the New York 
Conference. The society was formally organized on Sunday, May 
23d, 1852, at the residence of Mr. Cornell, at which time certificates 
of membership were received from seven persons. 

Previous to this time, however, arrangements had been made for the 
use of the sec(jnd Presbyterian church edifice, and, on the 9th of 
June foUo\\^ng, Henry Cornell, James Martin, John H. Waters, Nelson 
Austin, and Joseph Longking, were unanimously elected trustees, 



330 JUSTOJIY OF NEWBimOH. 



and the articles of corporation were formed. At the annual session 
of the New York Conference for 1852, Rev. Eufus C. Putney was 
appointed to the charge. The church edifice was dedicated on the 
18th of June, and on the 25th of that month the society had a mem- 
bership of 129 persons, nearly all of whom had been previously con- 
nected with the First church. 

The building- wliich had been rented for the society at the time of 
its organization, was purchased by its trustees in March, 1853, for 
$5,000, which was principally paid by subscriptions; and at about 
the same time arrangements were made for erecting a parsonage and 
also a building for lectures and class meetings. These buildings were 
completed Sept. 12th, 1853 — the former at a cost of $2,349, and the 
latter at $2,109. The building was badly injured by fire in the fall of 
] 873, and in the summer following was repaired and materially im- 
proved at a cost of about $7,000. It was reopened for service in Oc- 
tober, 1874, Bishop Peck conducting the exercises. In the spring of 
1876, the present front of thirty-six feet with towers, was added (from 
plans by E. K. Shaw, architect,) at a cost of $10,000. The edifice is 
now one of the most thoroughly modern in the city. The principal 
fioor has seats for 650 persons and the Sunday-school gallery over the 
vestibvde for 300. A recess in the rear of the pulpit accommodates 
the choir and organ, and was part of the improvements of 1874. 

The society adopted the title of " St. John's " at its reopening in 

1874. The following have been its pastors: 

Date. Name. 

18.52-53 Rufus C. Putney. 

1854-55 L. W. Walsworth. 

1556-57 David Buck. 

1858-59 E. L. Prentice. 

1860-()1 John P. Hermance. 

1862-63 Chas. S. Brown. 
1864 (3 mos.) G. H. Gregory. 

THIKD OR GRACE M. E. CHURCH. 

This church is at West Newbui-gh, on Western Avenue. It was the 
outgrowth of the Second or St. John's church, and especially of a 
mission Sunday-school estabHshed under its auspices in 1848. The 
society or school was legally organized in June, 1865, when P. S. 
Haines, James Harrison, C. H. Bond, Jos. W. Bond, F. Klaproth, 
David Gibb, Chas. Estabrook, John Haskins, and Chas. L. Brown 
were elected trustees. The regular church organization, however, 
dates fi-om April 25th, 1868, when thii-ty members from the Second 
church united for that pui-pose. The building of a church edifice 
was commenced in May, 1866, and the basement completed and occu- 
pied by the Sunday-school and by a fi-ee school, the latter under the 
charge of the Board of Education. The corner-stone was laid in the 
autumn of 1867, Rev. J. B. Wakely dehvering the address, and the 



Bate. 


Name. 


1864-66 


Thos. B. Smith. 


1867-68 


DeLoss Lull. 


1869-70 


H. H. Birkins. 


1871-72 


W. E. Clarke. 


1873-74 


George H. Corey. 


1875-76 


L. H. King. 



I 



(mrucHEs, snnooLs, etc. 331 



edifice was completed xinder plans by J. D. Kelly, architect. It was 
dedicated Sept. 2d, 1868, on which occasion the sermon was by Rev. 
Dr. Fletcher from Mark ix., 18, 19. Dr. McAllister preached in the 
evening. Rev. Dr. A. M. Osbon, presiding- elder, had principal charge 
of the exercises at both services. The structure is of brick and in- 
cludes basement, auditorium and choir gallery; it is in neat but plain 
finish, and has seats for about 400 persons. It is 35 by 61 feet; lot 
66 by 105 feet — the latter presented by Messrs. W. R. & C. L. Brown; 
its cost was about $10,000. A parsonage was added to the property 
in 1874, at a cost of $3,500. Rev. Van Ness Traver (1868) was the 
first minister in charge. He was succeeded by Rev. D. W. C Van 
Gaasbeck, and the latter by Rev. Dr. Osbon. 

ST. PAULS GERMAN M. E. CHURCH. 

A meeting for the purpose of introducing the organization of a 
German Reformed chiu-ch, was held in the lectxu'e-room of the Asso- 
ciate Reformed church on Sunday, January 5th, 1868. The exercises 
were conducted by Rev. A. Rahn, and resulted in the constitution of 
a society (Feb. 7) under the title of "St. Paul's German Reformed 
Church." Mr. Rahn was elected pastor, and was installed on Sunday, 
March 29th, by Rev. Dr. Schaff. At a subsequent meeting the society 
resolved to unite with the Presb;yi.ery of North River, and it was duly 
received by that body under the title of " St. Paul's German Presby- 
terian Church." Soon after organization the society purchased a site 
on Johnston street near Western Avenue, for the erection of a church 
edifice, the corner-stone of which was laid Sejotember 10th, by the 
Masonic fraternity in Grand Lodge of Ceremony. The building was 
completed and dedicated in the summer of 1869. Its cost, including 
lot, was about $12,000, and its capacity sufficient for the accommoda- 
tion of about foiir hundred persons. Mr. Rahn resigned the charge 
and was succeeded, in July, 1870, by Rev. E, Lubkert, who served as 
supply until September following, when he was installed pastor and 
continued in that relation until the 28th of July, 1872. His resigna- 
tion was mainly in consequence of a union which was effected, in 
April of that year, with the Conference of the M. E. church, under 
which it was agreed by the trustees of Trinity church that that body 
would assume the mortgage debt of St. Paul's, amounting to about 
$4,500. The title of the society was then changed to " St. Paul's Ger- 
man M. E. Church," and its pulpit supplied by the appointment of 
Rev. G. Meyers. A subsequent board of trustees of Trinity chui'ch 
refused to carry out the agreement which had been made, on the 
ground that the action which had been had was illegal, it not having 
been in compHance with a vote of the congregation. This conclusion 
compelled St. Paul's to submit to a sale of its propei"ty, under mort- 



332 HISTOEY OF NEWBUUGH. 



gage foreclosiu-e, in 187(!. The society maintains its organization, but 
its permanency is probleniatii'iil. 

ST. patiuc^k's catholic church. 

Tradition and written testimony give the date of tlie first service 
held by C'atholic priests in Newburgh as 1817, when the Rev. Dr. 
Ffrench said mass at the house of INIr. (lilmore on Western Avenue. 
The attendants upon his ministrations, which were only occasiomvl, 
were as follows, viz: Mai'k Mclntyre, John t'itzpatrick, Henry Gil- 
more, Daniel Devlin, Dennis McCool, Enos McAllister, Michael Bird, 
George McC'ahill, C'harles Mackin, Owen McGahey, Patrick McGahey, 
and Thomas and Hugh Iviley, and thch- families. 

Missionary labors were continued here mitil i82G, when the present 
church was formed. The number of Catholics did not then exceed 
tliirty, and mass was said every six nu>nths. Soon after this time the 
Hev. Philip O'Reilly was stationed on the Newburgh district and said 
nuiss here once every month. In 188(), the Rev. Patrick Duti'y was 
appointed to the station, and for seventeen yeai's remained Catholic 
pastor of Jsewburgh. He died in 1858. After an interval of one 
year, dming which time the chmx'h was ministercti to by the Rev. Mr. 
Giillagher, the Rev. E. J. O'Reilly was appointed pastor, and served 
until June 1st, 1867, when he was succeeded by Rev. E. S. Briady. 

The service of mass was first siiid in j\lr. Gilmore's house, as already 
stated. Afterw!U"ds, luid for a number of yeai's, the Mcintosh house 
was used by the congregation. In 1838, the preliminary steps were 
talveii for the erection of a church edifice, and the site now oci'upied 
was puri'hased by sxibscriptions from resident CathoHcs, Jiided by out- 
side collections and contributions from members of other denomina- 
tions. The building was completed tmd opened for service in Decem- 
ber, 18-42. Its value was then estimated at about $12,000. It was a 
stone strui-ture, about 100 by GO feet, witli no ju'chitectural features. 
It was neatly fitted up with pews and a small gallery, had an orgjui, 
and two fine oil paintings about 14 by 9 feet, representing the bii'th 
!Uid the entombment of the Sa\ iour, painted by Rembrandt Lockwood. 

In 1852, a field was purt-hased, at the c-orner of First and Stone 
streets, jxud a Cemetery opened. In 1854, a lot was purchased ad- 
joining tlie cluu-ch and a pastoral residence erected thereon — the 
house and lot costing about $10,000. The year 1858 was signalized by 
the erection of a conunodious schot)l-house, situated immediately west 
of the i-hurch, whic-h was completed and opened on the 2i)th of No- 
vember of that year. The school was instituted in 1850. In 1855, a 
Library Association was organized, smd some 000 volumes collected. 
For foiu- years, ending with Augiist, 1800, tliis association pubhshed 
a veiy spirited monthly magixzine, edited by the late John Ashliui-st. 



(jinmaiiEs, schools, etc. 333 



A Sabbath-8(^ho()l and other orpfanizationH peculiar to the Catholic 
faith, are also connected with the church. 

In 1H()(), th(^ cliurch made extensive alterations and additions to its 
house of worship, renderinj,' it one of the finest ectdesiastical struc- 
tiires on the Hudson. Its plan is in the style known as the decorated 
Gothic of the 1 3th century. The buildinj^ is c^rutdform, the front or- 
namented with pinnacles and parapets of rich crochet and quatrefoil 
work. A tower, surmounted by a spire of open tracery work, adorns 
the front. The windows are of heavy ctarved work and filled with 
richly stained f^dass. The ceilinj^ is arched and ril)bed, and tlie finish 
throup;'hout of the hifi;'hest order. The plans were furnished by lieni- 
Vjrandt Ijockwood, and the work executed under his direction by J. 
Gill, mason, and Little & KeUy, carpenters. The following are the 
dimensions of the building, viz: lenjifth, 150 feet; len^h of transept, 
75 feet; front, 55 feet 3 inches; heif^ht of ceilin<y, 29 feet; spire 135 feet. 

Durinpc Father Briady's administration the <rhurch edifice and the 
school-liouse have been thoroughly repaired and refurnished, and the 
parsonage rebuilt — the latter in 18f59, at a cost of $13,000. In 1871, 
the property on (^rand street, near Wasliington, was purchased and 
improved at a cost of about $15,000, and opened (1872) as St. Pat- 
rick's Orphan Asylum, under the management of Sisters of Charity. 
It is now occupied in part for that purpose and in part by a select 
school for young ladies. In the spring of 1875, a plot of fifteen 
acres, near Muchattoes hiU, was purchased for cemetery purposes, at 
a cost of $7,200. 

ST. MARV'S CATHOLIC CHUIMIH. 

In March, 1875, (m the application of a number of members of St. 
Patrick's, Archbishop McCloskey granted an order dividing the origi- 
nal parish and constituting, from the northern part of its territory, 
St. Mary's parish. Rev. M. J. Phelan, formerly of Port Ewen, was 
appointed pastor, and said his first mass in the parish on Easter- 
Sunday, 1875, in the opera house. Property was soon after purc^has- 
ed on Gidney Avenue and South street, for $20,000, and mass cele- 
brated in the mansion on the premises. In May following, a tempo- 
rary frame building for church purposes was erected, costing $3,500. 

Embraced in St. Mary's parish is the Academy of Our Lady of 
Mercy (a branch convent of the Sisters of Mercy of New York), 
which was opened at Balmville in the summer of 1875. 

FIRST IJNIVERSALIST CONGRFXiATIONAL CHURCH. 

The facts relative to the early efforts for the introduction of IJniver- 
salism in Newburgh, are almost wholly traditional. It is said that 
thirty or forty years ago, the Rev. Mr. Mitchell, of New York city, 
preached here a few times. He occupied the ball-room of the old Man- 



334 



HISTORY OF NEWS URGE. 



sion House, and it is remembered that he always had a medallion hung 
on the wall behind his pulpit, on which was inscribed, in letters of 
gold, "God is Love." His meetings were well attended, but no soci- 
ety was formed, and the effect of his labors was only transient. Sub- 
sequently the Eev. Mr. Parker, of Troy, as well as the Kev. Mr. Lyon, 
of New York, are said to have preached to small audiences here. 

In 1858, a few friends of Universalism resolved to make an attempt 
to establish the ministry of that faith in Newburgh, and for that pur- 
pose they invited the Rev. T. Borden, then of Hudson, to hold service 
here. He accepted the invitation, and preached his first discourse in 
Newburgh on the 21st November, at the Court-house. The services 
were well attended; and on the 22d, a meeting of those friendly to the 
movement was held and a committee appointed to secure a regular 
supply of ministerial labor. The informal organization continued to 
gain strength, and, on the 21st of Februar}', 1859, the society was 
regularly organized, in accordance vdth the statute, under the title of 
the " First Universalist Congregational Church of the Village of New- 
burgh." In October, the Rev. W. B. Cook was chosen pastor. 

The services of the socie- 
ty were held in the Court- 
house until July, 1860. In 
July, 1859, a lot was pur- 
chased on Liberty street, 
north of Farrington, and 
the erection of a chiu'ch 
edifice was commenced. It 
was comjileted in 1860, and 
dedicated on Wednesday, 
Aug. 1st, of that year. It 
was in the Italian style of 
architecture, and was con- 
structed from plans drawn 
by John D. KeUy, of New- 
burgh. It was neatly fin- 
ished and furnished accom- 
modations for about three 
hundred persons. 
The society failed financially in 1862. In 1863, the church edifice 
was purchased by the German Catholics, who conducted service and 
held a school in it, but failed in effecting a permanent organization. 
In the fall of 1864, the Board of Education purchased it, with a view 
to convert it to school purposes; but, after temporary occupation, sold 
it (1865) to private parties, by whom it was removed. 




CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC 335 



CHUKCH OF OUR FATHER. 

The Church of Our Father may be denominated the successor of 
the UniversaHst society, formed Feb. 21st, 1859. On the last Sunday 
of July, 1867, Rev. Wm. R. G. Mellen commenced Unitarian worship 
at the Court-house with an audience of twenty-five in the morning 
and thirty in the afternoon. Subsequent services were held hj Mr. 
MeUen and other preachers, until Feb. 15th, 1868, when the Rev. C. B. 
Webster was elected pastor. On the 7th of Jtdy following a Unita- 
rian society was organized. A building lot was soon after purchased, 
at the corner of South and Johnston streets, at a cost of $3,000, and 
in the summer of 1869, a church edifice was erected at a cost of 
$12,300. This building is in the early Gothic style — of brick with 
blue-stone borders and granite caps; the roof is supported by iron 
pillars resting on brick piers. It is 40 feet by 60, and provides seats 
for four hundred persons. A small pastor's room and a choir gallery 
are furnished in the rear. The dedication took place July 17th, 1870. 
Mr. Webster resigned the pastorate in 1871, and Rev. F. W. Holland 
became his successor in June of that year. The principal patrons and 
founders of the society were the late Josiah S. Young, and the late 
John P. DeWint, the latter a resident of Fishkill. 

— In addition to the societies already enumerated, the First Pres- 
byterian church maintains the Bethel Mission on Noi-th- Water street, 
and the American Reformed church the Gleason Mission on Western 
Avenue. There are also two societies of colored people — the Shiloh 
Baptist church and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion church. 
The latter has a neat edifice on Washington street. 

COMPARATIVE STATISTICS. 

Value of Seating Average Commu- Salaries 
Church. Year. No. Property* Capacity Attend. nicants. Ministers 

Baptist,. 1855. . . .1. . . ..17,000 450 250 167 ... $700 

1875. . . .2. . . .35,000 1300 GOO 402 3,300 

Methodist Episcopal,. . . 1855. . . .6. . . .22,400 3200 1900 833 3,750 

1875. . . .8. . .115,000 4000 3000 15.31t. . . . 7,600 

Presbyterian, 1855 1 8,000 600 400 247 1,000 

1875. . . .4. . .110,000 3500 2000 1215 9,000 

Assoc. Refd. Presb 1855 2. . . . 15,000 900 600 431 ... . 2,000 

1875. . . .1. . . .10,000 600 300 150 1,500 

Reformed Presbyterian,. . 1855. . . .2. . . .14,000 1200 480 250 1,100 

1875. . . .2. . . .20,000 1200 600 416 3,300 

United Presbyterian, .... 1875 . . . 1 8,000 475 300 218 1,.500 

Protestant Episcopal, . . . 1855. . .1. . . .15,000 750 600 180 1,200 

1875. . . .2. . . .60,000 1500. . . . 800 547 7,000 

Refd. Prot. Episcopal,. . . 1875 1. . . . 7,000 300 100 31§ 1,500 

American Reformed, .... 1855 1 . . . . 15,000 600 250 180 800 

1875. . . .1. . . .60,000 1000 600 500 3.000 

Roman Catholic, 1855. . . .1. . . .15,000 800 700 (iOO 1,000 

1875. . . .2. . . .70,000 1500 2500 4000 2,8001 

Unitarian, 1875. . . .1. . . .12,000 400 200 100§ 1,200 

RECAPITULATION. 

Property. Capacity. Attend. Commun. Salaries. 

1855 $111,400 8,900 5,180 2,888 $11,500 

1875 507,000 15,775 11,000 9,113 41,700 

* Estimated. t 891 Probationers in addition. | Additional from fees. § New. 



336 



HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



THEOLOGICAL SEMINAEY. 

The Theological Seminary of the Associate Keformed chm*ch Avas 
the first institution of the kind in the United States. There were 
indeed Professors of Divinity (most of whom were connected -with 
coUef^es) who were accustomed to give lectures on the science of 
Theology to such students as pleased to attend; but there was no 
institution expressly designed for the training of candidates for the 
ministry, and formally organized on an academic basis, in existence 
in this country previous to the erection of this Seminary. 

The first steps towards its establishment were taken by the Asso- 
ciate Reformed Synod, in 1796, on the suggestion of one of its young- 
est members, Mr. afterwards Dr. John M. Mason, of New York, then 
in the early dawn of his brilliant career. At the meeting of Synod, 
in 1796, an act was adopted " concerning a Sy nodical Fimd," the 
main object of which fund was to aid poor and pious youth in their 
studies for the ministry, and to maintain a Professorship of Theology. 
The church ^^as small, the country was very poor in those days, and 
the growth of tlie fund was necessarily slow; but the ideas thrown 
out by Dr. Mason had taken root in the minds of his brethren, and 
at the meeting of Synod in 1801, it was resolved, after much discus- 
sion, to erect a Theological Seminary on a peciiliar plan, and of a 
higher order than any " school of the prophets " then in being. Dr. 
Mason was sent to Great Britain to ask help from the churches of the 
father land, and he obtained the handsome sum of $5,500, which was 
chiefly expended in the purchase of a noble library. Dr. Mason re- 
tiu'ned in 1802, and was unanimously chosen to preside over the in- 
fant institution, which Avas at first located in New York, where it was 
opened in 1805. The number of students rapidly increased, and con- 
sidering the size of the denomination, it continued to be comparative- 
ly large, until the suspension of the Seminary in 1821. This result 
was mainly OAving to the failing health of Dr. Mason, Avhich had com- 
pelled him to retire from a sphere in which he had spent the best 
years of his life, and to which he Avas enthusiastically devoted. By a 
vote of the Greneral Synod of the church in 1822 (Avhich was judicially 
declared a few years afterwai-ds to have been illegal), the library Avas 
transferred to the Seminary at Princeton. 

The operations of the Seminary were suspended until the summer 
of 1829, when the A. R. Synod of New York determined to resusci- 
tate the institution and to locate it at Newburgh. The Rev. Joseph 
McCarrell, D. D., of Newburgh, Avas elected Professor of Theology, 
and the Rev. Drs. John McJimpsey, Alex. Proudfit, Robert Forrest, 
and D. C. McLaren, were chosen Superintendents. During the fol- 
lowing year, the necessary steps were taken (after sundry fruitless 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS. ETC. 337 



appeals to the Gfeneral Assembly of the Presbyterian church) for the 
recovery of the library and funds removed to Prin('etf>ii in 1822, and 
after a protracted lawsuit, they were restored to their old owners. 

Another important movement was made in 1835, viz: for the erec- 
tion of a suitable edifice for the accommodation of the students and 
professors. For so small a body as the Synod of New York, the un- 
dertakin}^ was an almost herculean one. Money was collected from 
various sources, an admirable site covering thirteen acres of land was 
purchased, and a charter of incorporation was granted by the lef^isla- 
ture of this state on the 25th May, I83(j. The trustees named in the 
act were Hon. John Willard of Salem, Hon. Wm. M. Oliver of Penn 
Yan, Hon. Archibald C. Niven and Alpheus Dimmick of Monticello, 
Hon. Robert Denniston of Salisbury, Hon. John W. Brown, and D. 
W. Bate, and Daniel Farrin<^on of Newburf^h, James Wau,ifh and 
WiUiam Wear of Little Britain, James D. Bull of Hamptonburgh, 
and Benjamin Parker of Kortrip^lit. The foundation of the Seminarv 
was laid in 1837,''' and the building" was completed in 1839, at a cost 
(including land) of about $25,()()(). 

In 1858, an orfjcanic union was effected between the Associate Pi'es- 
byterian cluirch of Nortli America and the Associate Reformed church, 
under the title of the United Presbyterian church. A few conj^rega- 
tions of the Associate Reformed Synod of New York refused to enter 
into this union. These laid claim to the Seminary; but by a suit at 
law it was decided that the proj^erty rightfully belonged to that por- 
tion of the Synod, the great majority, which had assented to the union. 
In 1865, the Associate Reformed Synod of New York, the legally re- 
cognized owners of the property, took measures, in cotij^cration with 
the United Presbyterian Synod of New York, for recipening the insti- 
tution, and elected as professors therein Rev. J. B. Dales, D. D., of 
Philadelphia, and James Harper of New York. On the 2d October, 
1867, accordingly, the building was opened again for the training of 
young men for the ministry, and now has students from nine or ten 
states. The number of bound volumes in the library is nearly 3600. 
The professors have been as follows: 

Systematic Theolo(/y — Kev. John M. Mason, D. D., 1805—1821. Rev. Alex. Proiulfit, D. 
D., '1820— 1821. Rev. Joseph McCarrell, D. D., 1829— 18G0. Rev. James Harper, D. D., 
1867— now Professor. 

Bihticnt Literature Rev. James M. Matthews, 1809-1816. Rev. James Arbiickle, As- 
sistant, 1820— 21. Rev. John Forsyth, Jr., 1837-1845. Rev. David L. Proiulfit, 1810-42. 
Rev. Robert Stewart, D. D., 1872— now Professor. 

Church History, <fcc.— Rev. John Forsyth, D. D., 1852-1859. Rev. J. B. Dales, D. D., 
1867— now Professor. 



* The Theological Seminary, under the auspices of the Associate Reformed church, is 
now permanently located in Newburgh, and a splendid buildinp for its accommodation is 
about to be erected here. The plan of the building — which is to be 104 feet front by 40 
deep — is by Mr. T. M. Niven, and the site selected is an eminence on the farm lately owned 
by Henry Walsh, west of the viMge.— Telegraph, Feb. 23, 1837. 

022 



338 triS TOB Y OF NEWB UJi OH. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

Glebe School — The first public school in Newbiirgh was that contem- 
plated in the charter to the Glebe, and was known for many years as 
the Glebe school. The time at which it was first opened can not now 
be ascertained, but it was probably soon after the settlement of the 
Rev. Hezekiah Watkins. Nor is it possible to determine who was 
the first school-master. The offices of minister and school-master, how- 
ever, were not combined in one person, as has been generally supposed. 
This is evident from the setting apai-t, of a lot for the minister and 
another for the school-master, and the erection of dwellings* thereon 
respectively, as well as from the books of the trustees of the Glebe. 
During a portion of the time that Mr. Watkins held the office of min- 
ister, a Mr. Palmer performed the duties of school-master. f In 1768, 
Lewis Donveur conducted the school;]; in 1769, Joseph Penny; and in 
1773, Thomas Gregory. § In 1774, John Nathan Hutchins was em- 
ployed, and continued in the school until a short time prior to his 
death, which occurred in 1782. His successor was Richard King, 
who served from September 18, 1782, until the settlement of the Rev. 
Mr. Spierin, in 1790. Mr. Spierin's engagement contemplated the 
combining of the two offices of minister and school-master, and gave 
rise to the difficulties which eventually terminated the jurisdiction of 
the Episcopal church over the Glebe. || He resigned in 1793. The 
records of the trustees fail to show the name of Mr. Si:)ierin's succes- 
sor, or indeed that of any teacher for several years. It is probable, 
however, that the school was conducted in the Academy from 1796 to 
1804, dui'ing which time the latter school was under the charge of 
the trustees of the Glebe. The "act to amend the charter of the 
Glebe," passed by the legislature in 1803, directed that "the sum of 
$200, of the revenues arising from the Glebe," should be "paid an- 

* Engravings of the buildings referred to, will be found on page 128. In 1778, " the 
house and barn, and that part of the school lot next to the road," were rented to 
Richard Albertson. At the commencement of the present centui-}% the old parsonage was 
rented to the town, and was occupied as the poor-house.— .4ccoM?t^. Book of the Glebe. 

+ " Sept. ye 18, 1765. Then settled the above account with the Executor of Hezekiah 
Watkins, deceased, and with the school-master, Palmci-, in full," &c. (£19. 8. 0.) 

t "Sept. 16, 1768. Tlien paid Lewis Donveur, school-master, ye sum of £17 178 lOd." 

§ " Paid the above half sum to Mr. John Sayres, and the other half to the school- 
master, Thomas Gregory, for me," .^;c — Accoimt Book of the Glebe. 

II "Agreed, that the Rev. Geo. H. Spierin shall be entitled to receive the whole of the 
rents and benefits arising from the Glebe Lands, while he continues to officiate as minis- 
ter, and teach the children of the inhabitants of the German patent on the following terms, 
^^z: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, History, and English Grammar, at 12s per 
quarter; Readmg, Writing, Arithmetic, at 8s per quarter. Provided always, that no chil- 
dren incapable of studying the above branches shall be admitted or received into the 
school. And, that should a poor child come properlv recommended as such, he shall be 
received mto the Enghsh school gratis. And if a youth of stron? natural abihties of the 
like description ofTer, he shall be received into the Classical school also gratis. Provided 
also, that should the rents and privileges of the Glebe hereafter become more valuable, 
that then, in such case, the terms of teaching the children living on the patent shall be re- 
duced in such manner as to be equivalent to said advantages, so far as may relate to- 
wards the supporting of a school, and as the trustees shall deem proper."— il/m. Tt-uatees. 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. 339 



nually to the trustees of the Academy;" and that "the remainder of 
the money arising' from such annual income," should be "paid to the 
trustees of the other schools which are, or may hereafter be, estab- 
lished on the Glebe,"' as the inhabitants should direct. The jurisdic- 
tion of the trustees of the Glebe being thus terminated, the old Glebe 
school ceased to exist. 

No division of the revenues from the Glebe, as required by the act 
of 1803, appears to have been made until 1809, when what was called 
"the juvenile school in old town," was established. This school was 
subsequently known as the Glebe school, from the fact that the trus- 
tees of the Glebe Avere directed by the inhabitants of the patent to 
pay to it that poi-tion of revenues not appropriated to the Academy. 
It also received one half of the public money after the creation of 
the common school fund. It was conducted for several years by 
Ebenezer Adams;* and for a few years prior to 1830, by John P. Tar- 
beU. Mr. John Goodsell succeeded Mr. Tarbell and continued the 
school until 1840 or '47. 

The tirst building occupied by the school was that previously spoken 
of as the "school-master's house." All the teachers appear to have 
occupied this building prior to 1774. Mr. Ilutchins and Mr. King 
(the latter at least part of tJie time) held the school in the "parsonage 
house." In 1789, the trustees rented a house for the school from 
James Van Orsdall;f and Mi\ Spierin held it in a house which now 
forms part of the late residence of Charles F. V. Reeve. The school 
(under the title of "the juvenile school of old town"), subsequently 
occupied tlie old Lutheran church, where it was continued down to 
1846 or '47, when it was removed to the Academy. 

On the 6th of Ai^ril, 1848, the legislature passed an act to divide 
school district No. 13, and to erect No. 15. The law also directed the 
levying of a tax of $5,000 upon district No. 13, as it existed prior to 
the passage of the act; and that $3,000 of the money so raised should 
be applied to the extinguishment of a debt on that district, and that 
the remainder should be expended in the erection of a school building 
in district No. 15. The trustees of the new district were also em- 
powered to receive such portion of the Glebe moneys as the inhabi- 
tants should direct and appl}^ the same to the reduction of rate bills. 

* Ebenezer Adams came to Newburgh in 1807. He taught at the Glebe school-house, 
partly on the Lancaster system, where he continued for ten years, giving general satisfac- 
tion. After leaving the school he opened a grocery store in Water street, between John 
Brown's and John McAuley's store, where he continued until his death in 1824. He was 
married twice and had six children, three sons and three daughters. 

t The trustees purchased new furniture for the school at this time. The account of the 
treasurer contains the following items, viz: 

"To cash paid D. Howell for boards, &c., for a writing table for the school, £0 .5s Od 
" " Geo. Gardner for 1 lb. nails for the school, Is Od 

" " David Howell for 1 lb. nails for the school, Q Os lid 

" " William Nicols for 5 slabs for seats for the school, 7s 6d" 



340 HISTOnr OF MiWBURGH. 

The new district was immediately organized under this law; and a 
site was selected and the erection of a school Inxildinpf commenced. 
Before the building- was completed, the inhalntants were called to de- 
termine what disposition should be made of the Glebe revenues be- 
yond the amount directed by law to be paid to the trustees of the 
Academy. The trustees of the G-lebe at that time, viz: John Bev- 
ridge, Samuel J. Farnum, and T. M. Niven, proposed that the unap- 
propriated balance should be devoted to the payment of scholarships 
in the Academy; but the suggestion was not favorably received, and, 
at a public meeting held on the 13th of April, 1849, it was rejected. 
At the same meeting a resolution was adopted directing the trustees 
of the Glebe to pay to the trustees of school district No. 15, whatever 
revenue might be derived from the Glebe, "over and above the sum 
required by law to be paid to the Academy." The resolution also 
declared, that "the said district school, No. 15, shall hereafter be 
known as the Glebe school;'' and tliis designation continued until the 
adoption of the present free school system. 

- Newhurgh Academy. — The Newburgh Academy was erected in 175)5- 
'6. On the settlement of the Rev. Mr. Spierin, in 171)0, he announced 
his intention to open " an Academy for the instruction of youth in the 
Greek and Latin languages, and the different other branches of liter- 
ature;" and with a view to encourage the establishment of a school of 
the character proposed, the trustees of the Glebe stated that "a sub- 
scription would be set on foot for the building of a convenient house 
for a Seminary."* In 1791, an effort was made to carry this 2:)romise 
into effect, and to that end an apj^lication was made to the legisla- 
ture for permission to establish a lottery; but for reasons already 
stated, the application failed. The trustees again took up the matter 
in 1795; and succeeded in completing the building in 1796.f 

The institution continued under the charge of the trustees of the 
Glebe until 1804, when a meeting of the inhabitants of the patent 



* To the Public — The Ecv. George H. Spierin liaving lately settled at Newburgh, in the 
county of Ulster and state of New York, on the lands formerly granted by the govern- 
ment for the support of a Minister and School— this- is therefore to inform the public that 
he proposes opening an Academy for Ihe instruction of youth in the Greek and Latin lan- 
guages, and the difterent other branches of Uterature, so soon as a sufficient nunibcr of 
pupils shall offer themselves. Proper accommodations for their reception will be i)repared. 
BoardiTig, washing, and lodging, at £20 per year, (or $1 i)er week), and £5 for tuition. A 
suliscriution will be set on foot for the building of a convenient house for a S(^iui!iary, and 
in the meanwhile convenicmt rooms for tlu^ juirposc will l)e provided. The agreealile and 
heidthy situation of the town of Newburgh, its easy communication with every state in 
the Union, witb various other concurring circumstances, render it a most desirable s])ot 
for such an institution. (Ventlemcu inclining to encourage this undertaking, will be kind 
enough to siguilv the same l)y sending their names to the Rev. Mr. Spierin, or to Isaac 
Eclknap and Cadwallader Golden, Trustees of G\Ghe.— Adv. Goshen A't^w.s., July 13, 1790. 

t It has been generally supposed that the Academy was erected by individual subscrip- 
tions, but the records of the trustees of the Glebe do not confirm this tradition. If sub- 
scriptions were made, they w^ere very Umited in amount. The account of Andrew Lyons, 
the builder, only reached £350, and of this sum Hugh Walsh advanced £215, and was not 
fully paid in several years, as appears by his ledger account. 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC 



341 



was held (June 2d), at wliicli the followinp^ persons were elected 
"trustees to take oharo'e of the school in the Academy," viz: James 
Bate, Antliony Davis, William W. Sackett, Daniel Birdsall, James 
Coulter, William Ross, Ilichard Hvidson, Charles Clinton, and Edward 
Howell. In 1S()(!, it was incoi'2:)orated under the general statute of 
the state. The trustees named in the charter were Daniel Niven, Jas. 
Hcrimgeour, Danl. Birdsall, Jonas Storey, Abm. Schultz, David Fowler, 
John Johnston, John McAuley, John Brown, Hugh Spier, Derick 
Amerman, Wm. Ross, and Daniel C. Verplanck. 

The names of the first and of several of the suc<tecding teachers of 
the Academy, cannot now he ascertained. In 1799, Sanil. Nicholson 
was principal, and John (Hllespie was assistant; 1802, James Lawre- 
niore, principal; 1808-4, Nathan H. White; 1805, Joel Cooper; 180G, 
Mr. Brackett; 1807, R. W. Thompson; 1809, Jabez Munsel.* The 
more recent principals were Luther Halsey, Rev. J. T. Halsey, E. C. 
Benedict,f E. Burt, J. Stark, Edgar Perkins, Rev. Dr. Prime, and Rev. 
R. B. Hall. The school was especially successfvilly conducted during 
the administrations of Mr. Halsey, Mr. Perkins, and Mr. Prime. 

The Academy building is located on the west side of Montgomery 
street, a short distance north from South street. When it was erected 
only the principal floor 
Avas finished for school 
purposes. In 1798, the 
courts of the county were 
directed by law to be held 
at Newburgh and at Go- 
shen alternately, and for 
their accommodation the 
uiJi^er floor was finished. 
A stairway was placed on 
the north side, and two 

jury rooms, a hall, and NKWBuu.m academy-1857. 

court-room occupied the floor. Coiirts were held here from 1798 until 
1843, or about forty-tive years. The court-room was also used for j)ub- 
lic meetings; the general and town elections were held there, and, as 
has been ^^Iready shown, it was the cradle of several of the churches 
of the city. A few changes have since been made in the external ap- 
pearance of the building, as weU as in its internal arrangement. It 
is now held by the Board of Education, and is occupied l)y the senior 
or academic department of the public schools. 

* Mr. Munsel removed to Kingston, in 1812, and was principal of tlie Academy there. 

t E. C. Benedict studied law with Betts & Bellinaii. He removed to New Yorlv; was one 
of the members of Assembly in 18C4, and was a leading member of the Board of Educa- 
tion of that city. 




342 Jlf!^ TOR V OF NE WB UJi H. 



High School. — This institution was incorporated April 23d, 1829, 
and was constituted the common school for district No. 13, which 
then embraced the whole village of Newburgh. For the erection of 
a school building, $1,400 was raised by a tax on the inliabitants of 
the district, and $3,(500 by a loan which was divided into shares of 
$25 each. The building was completed and opened for scholars in 
February, 1830, at which time John P. Tarbell and Miss Mary Ross 
were employed as teachers. The following persons composed the first 
boai-d of ti-ustees, viz: Wm. M. Wiley, Edmiand Sanxay, and James 
Belknap; Thos. C. Ring, clerk, and David M. DuBois, collector. 
OrviUe M. Smith succeeded Mr. Tarbell in 1834, and held the position 
of principal with great cretlit until the close of the December term in 
1848, when he resigned. His successor, James P. Brown, served until 
March, 1852, when S. G. McLaughlin was appointed jDrincipal and held 
that position until the system of free schools was established and the 
old organization dissolved. The building was removed in 1872. 

Free Schoolft. — The movement which resulted in the adoption of the 
present free school system, was commenced in the spring of 1851, 
when, by the passage of the general free school law, the necessity of 
furnishing increased school accommodations was thi'own upon the 
trustees of the several school districts. Witli a view to meet the re- 
quu'ements of the new system, and to extend the jjrinciple upon 
which it was founded beyond the provisions of the state law, so far 
as the viUage of Newburgh was concerned, Moses H. Belknap, Nelson 
Haight, and Robt. Sterhng, trustees of district No. 13, and John Bev- 
ridge, A. Gerald Hull, and Nathan Reeve, trustees of district No. 15, 
held a joint meeting in May and passed the following resolution, viz: 

" Resolved, That the inhabitants of the viUage of Newburgh be invited to attend a 
meeting, to be lield at Washington Hall on Monday evening, the 12th inat., to consider the 
propriety of applyiuy to the next Legislature for a law to unite the whole village in one 
district — to make all schools in the district free schools— the same to be under the charge 
of a Board of Education to be elected by the people, in manner similar to other cities and 
villages in the state." 

At the meeting held pursuant to this resolution, Mr. Haight and 
Mr. Reeve united in a report shoAving the necessity for increased 
school accommodations, and proposing a system of free schools and 
the establishment of a fi-ee academy. The report was accepted, but 
definite action was postponed until the 23d, for the pm-pos^ of ascer- 
taining the probability of securing the cooperation of the trustees of 
the Academy, with a view to make that institution the free academy 
suggested. Mr. Reeve then submitted the di-aft of a law for the pui'- 
poses embraced in the report, wliich was referred to a committee for 
examination. 

The meeting held on the 23d adopted the plan proposed, and the 
trustees of the Academy signified theii* willingness to unite in the 



nnUECHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. 343 



movement. In this shape the subject remained until February 27, 
1852, when it was a{>ain considered at a pubHc meetinf^- and the law 
prepared in 1851 approved. On the Gth of April, the " Act to provide 
for the establishment of Free Sc^hools in the villapfe of Newburj^h," 
passed the legislature; and the Academy, the High school, and the 
Glebe school, ceased their separate organizations. 

The first election under the law of April 6th, was held on the 3d of 
May, when John Bevridge, John J. Monell, Nathl. Jones, Chas. F. V. 
Eeeve, Geo. W. Kerr, D. G. Leonard, L. B. Gregory, Eev. John 
Brown, and Thos. C. Ring, were chosen "trustees of common schools," 
and constituted " The Board of Education of the Village of New- 
burgh." The first meeting of the board was held May 12th, when 
its organization was completed by the election of John Bevridge pre- 
sident, and Nathaniel Jones clerk. 

The schools were soon after rei Organized under what is known as 
the graded system. The Academy was made the senior or highest 
department, and intermediate and primary schools were opened in 
the High scthool and in the Glebe school. The accommodations for 
the attendance of pujDils were soon after materially increased by the 
erection of a commodious building on Washington street; the Glebe 
school building was enlarged, and a building for a primary school 
fitted up adjoining the Academy; a school for colored children, and a 
system of evening schools, were also estabHshed. Several changes 
have since been made. The senior department is now substantially 
academic, the intermediates are grammar schools, the grade of the 
primaries has been raised, and the colored school abolislied. Three 
modem buddings have been erected, and two enlarged. Six build- 
ings are now in occupation, with accommodations for 3000 pupUs.* 
The value of school property in 18(50 was $40,000; in 1875, $185,000. 

— In addition to the free schools of the city, there are in the town 
fourieen school districts under the general school law of the state. 
A free school is also maintained by St. Patrick's church, to which 
moi"e extended reference has already been made. 

PRIVATE SCHOOLS. 

Very creditable private schools have been conducted at different 
periods. The first of this class, with the exception of that opened by 
Mr. Spierin, was established by Rev. Jonathan Freeman and SHvanus 
Haight, April 17, 1802, under the title of Cliosophic Hall. It was a 
boarding and day school, and was held in the building now No. 169 

* The South street building was erected in 1866, dnd cost (including furni'ure) $35,830. 
The West Newburgh building was erected in 1867, at a cost of $16,795.60. The Washing- 
ton street building was enlarged in 1869 and again in 1873, and (with original expenditure) 
cost $25,639.36. The Grand street building was erected in 1872, at a cost of $37,072.91. 
The Clinton street school was enlarged in 1870, at a cost of $6,738.92. The Library build- 
ing (now erecting) has an estimate cost of $25,000. Total, $147,076.35. 



3,j.4 iriSTOh' V OF ,\E\VBUn(lll. 

Montgomery street. Miss Heffernan succeeded Mr. Freeman in 1804, 
and established the tirst pm-ely female school. A private school con- 
ducted by Eobert Gardiner, about the same time, attracted a fair 
l>!itronag-e. Mrs. DeVendel followed Miss Heffernan in 1S'20, and 
subsc'qu(nitly shuilar schools by the Misses Phillips, the Kev. Mr. Ilay- 
uiond, Mr. A. Barker, and others; one of some note is now con- 
ducted by INIiss Mackie. Joel Turrill, subsequently distinguished in 
politics in western New York, had a select school for yoim^- men in 
ISKi. llcv. Sand. Phinney, IMr. Alzamora, and M. L. Domanski, had 
similar schools subsequently ; the latter was succeeded by H. S. Banks. 
A mixed school on Smith street, known as the Newburgh Institute was 
condiicted for several years l)y John J. Brown. In 1858, Mr. W. N. 
lieid purchasinl the building erected in 1887, fin* a boardinj^' house in 
connection with the Academy, and established a boardinj^ and day 
school, which he continued a few years. The most prominent of the 
private schools at the present time (187(5) is that established by Prof. 
H. AV. Siglar in 18(k}, and known as the "Newburgh Institute." It 
occupies the stone school-buildin<>" erected some yeju's since on the 
Theologicid Seminai-y property, and lirst occupied by Mr. Saunders. 

PUBI-IO I.IBKAUIES. 

Ncwbioyh Libranj Axaociatmi. — The Newburj^h Library Association 
was organized Decend)er, 1885, by stock subscriptions. A. J. Down- 
ing, Abm. M. Smith, John \V. Knevels, J. J. MoneU, M. V. B. Fowler, 
D. G. Leonard, and Alfred Post were the first trustees. A. J. Down- 
ing, president; Alfi-ed Post, treasurer; Chas. U. Cushman, librarian. 
The tirst books held by the association were donated to it by indi- 
viduids. Subsequently funds were raised by fairs. In 1838, a regatta 
for the benefit of the library yielded $300 ; and during the same yeai', 
Abm. M. Smitli, by will, gave $5UU to the association. It continued 
in existence until 184:7, when it was united with the Mechanics' Li- 
brary Association. 

Newburgh Mevhanicf!' Libranj Association. — This association was or- 
ganized Nov. 27, 1838, by the joint exertions of a few individuals who 
felt deeply the necessity for an institution which shoidd combine the 
advantages of a well-selected libriu-y with that of a debating society. 
A plan of organization lla^ ing been agreed iipon, a meeting of the 
mechanics of the village was cidled at Nicholson's hotel, on Wednes- 
day evening, Dec. 5th. At tliis meeting, which was well attended, a 
constitution was adopted and officers for the association elected. 

The minutes of the association date from Dec. 4, 1839; hence the 
names of its tirst officers do not appear. The officers elected in 1839 
Avere as foUoAvs: President, Miles Warren; vice presidents, Charles U. 
Cushman, D. H. Barclay; recortling secretary, John R. Wiltsie; cor- 



CHURCHES. SCHOOLS, ETC. 345 



responding secretary, John Caughey; librarians, Eobt. Sterling, John 
Little, Jr.; treasurer, John B. Jamison; executive committee, Robert 
Sterling, John Filkins, E. G. Woolsey, C. S. Russell, Jas. S. Young. 

On the 29th March, 1842, the association was incorporated, by an 
act of the legislature, under the name of the " Newburgh Mechanics' 
Library Association," for the "purpose of establisliing and main- 
taining a library, reading room, literary and scientific lectures, and 
other means of promoting the moral, intellectual and mechanical im- 
provement" of its members. 

The association established its first course of public lectures Janvi- 
ary 5th, 1840, and continued them annually until 1858. The library 
of the association was collected by the contribvition of books, and by 
purchases made from the proceeds of several fairs. On the 28d Sep- 
tember, 1847, an arrangement was effected with the stock-holders of 
the Newl)urgh Lil)rary, by which the books and proi)erty of the asso- 
ciation were transferred to the Mechanics. This arrangement estab- 
lished a library of upwards of IJOOO volumes, which was continued 
until 1861, when, public attention having been called to the subject 
in a series of articles in the N(nv.<!,^- it was, by the unanimous concur- 
rence of the members, united with the school library and the founda- 
tion of the present free library established. 

Newburgh Free Library. — By the act establishing the present system 
of free schools, the several school district libraries of the village were 
consolidated, and a single library established. The collection embra- 
ced some 20UU volumes, principally standard works. By subsequent 
purchases the number was increased to about 5000. In 1861, a union 
was ett'ected with the Mechanics' Library Association, by which a ma- 
tei'ial addition was secured; and in 1865, by an amedment to the fi-ee 
school law, the library thus formed became the Newburgh Free Li- 
brary, with power in the Board of Education to provide for its main- 
tenance by tax. During the year 1860, a very neat library building 
was erected, on Grand street, by the Board of Education, and was 
occupied until its removal in 1874. A more costly and commodious 
building is now (1876) in process of erection. 

— In addition to the public libraries named, there are in the town 
fourteen school district libraries; and the Sunday-school libraries of 
the several churches probably embrace not less than 6000 volumes. 
The library of the Theological Seminary, embracing some 3600 vol- 
umes, is also located here. A small library in connection with St. 
Patrick's church has been referred to elsewhere. 

NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS. 

The first paper published in Newburgh was the Newburgh Packet; 
* I'iles of Daily News ; also report of Board of Education for 1865. 



346 HISTORY OF NEWBUnOIL 

it was printed by Lucius Carey in 1795.* It is said to have been pur- 
chased by David Denniston in 1797, who changed its name to The 
Mirror, of which Philip Van Home (1797) and Jos. W. Barber (1799) 
were the printers. In 1799, Jacob Schultz removed to Newburgh the 
New Windsor Gazette, the name of which he changed to the Orange 
Countii Gazette.-\ This paper was purchased by David Denniston, and 
its name changed to The C'itizen.X In 1799, the Rights of Man was 
estabhshed by EHas Wintield,§ for whom it was printed by Benoni 
H. HoweU. II This paper was also purchased by David Denniston 
and The Citizen incorporated with it. The Recorder of the Times was 
commenced by Dennis Coles, in 1803. The Mirror was absorbed by 
the Right!< of Man in 1804; and the latter by the Recorder in 1805. 
On the 10th of April, 180(), the Recorder was pvu-chased by Ward M. 
Gazlay and the name changed to the Political Index, under which it 
was continued until 1829. 

The Mirror and the Citizen were the advocates of Paine's infidel 
teachings. The Gazette was anti-infidel. The Righti< of Man was more 
especially devoted to the interests of that branch of the republican 
party of which Jefferson was the representative. The Recorder of Die 
Times claimed to be republican, but was generally regarded as rep- 
resenting "the Federalists and Burrites." ^ The Political Index appa- 

* It has hitherto been supposed that the Mirror-wsiB the first paper printed in Newburgh. 
Tlie publication of the Packet was revealed accidentally. In 1850, a family of strangers, 
while moving through the village, dropped a bundle from their loaded wagon. The pack- 
age was not observed until after the family had crossed the river on the ferry. On exami- 
nation it proved to be a tile of the J'achft'. The thoughtless hands into which it had fallen 
soon divided it up among friends, and scattered it beyond the possibility of recovery. 
The copy which was preserved was dated Tuesday, Feb. 20, 1795. It contained an ac- 
count of a fire which " broke out in the store of Mr. John McAuley, but by the exertioas 
of the citizens the flames were happily extinguished without any material damage to the 
building;" and forcibly urged the necessity of having an "Engine in town." Among the 
advertisers were the names of John Harris — then but a short time in business — Robert E. 
Burnet, Levi Dodge, Wm. MilUr, Gen. James Clinton, Isaac Hasbrouck, and Hugh Walsh. 

t The publication of this paper was commenced Nov. 10, 1797, in the village of New 
Windsor. Abraham Lott was the printer for Mr. Schultz. The title of the paper was re- 
vived and its publication re-commenced by Gabriel Denton, at Goshen, in 1805. 

i This statement is on the authority of the late Jacob Schultz. It is possible that his 
recollection was confused with the title of Mr. Denniston's New York paper. 

§ Elias Winfield, the first editor of the Rights of Man, was a physician and druggist, 
and made himself somewhat notorious, in 1803, by his advocacy of the theory that the 
yellow fever was of " domestic origin," and that it was " not a contagious disease." 

David Denniston, his predecessor as well as successor in editorial life, was a man of 
strong character, and a radical in religion as well as politics. He became notorious 
through his writings in The Mirror in opposition to Christianity, and subsecpiently through 
the Iii(jhts of Man in pohtical literature. He seems to have been a very busy man m 
printing newspapers, having at ditterent times held Tlir Mirror, The Citizen, and the 
liiilhtt! of Man, in the local field, and for a time (1802) had editorial connection with the 
American Citizen and Watch Tower of New York. His occupation was that of a printer 
and book-binder. His office was located on the north-west half of lot No. 5 of the town- 
ship of Washington (now about No. 74 Water street). The building was burned in 1817- 
It was then occupied by B. F. Lewis as a bookstore and bindery. He died in Newburgh, 
Dec. 13, 1803, of "malignant fever." 

II Dennis Coles printed it in 1802 ; Robt. Hinchman in 1803, and Thos. Wilson in 1804. 
The precise date of its discontinuance is not known. 

ir "The pretended republicans of Orange County, not satisfied with the Bights of Man, 
pubhshed at Newburgh by Mr. Denniston, have established a new paper called the Becor- 
der qt the Times."— Friend of Truth. Aug. 1803. 



CHURCHES. SCHOOLS, ETC 347 



rently consolidated the interests of the republican party. It gave a 
hearty support to the administration of Jefferson and of Madison, 
and to the war of 1812. Its political articles were mainly from the 
pen of Jonathan Fisk, one of the most able men of the period. Its 
only competitor was the Orange Coimty Patriot and Spirit of '7G, a 
paper of federal or anti-war politics, a new series of which was com- 
menced at Newburgh, in 1812, by Lewis & Crowell. It was subse- 
quently removed to Goshen, from whence it came. 

The Political Index was purchased, in 1829, by Charles U. Cushman, 
who changed its name to the Orange Telegraph, and, subsequently, to 
the Newburgh Telegraph. It continued under the management of Mr. 
Cushman until October, 1839, when it passed into the hands of Henry 
H. Van Dyclc. In the winter of 1840, Elias Pitts became the editor, 
and continued the publication of the paper until May 1, 1850, when 
it was purchased by E. M. Ruttenber. Mr. Ruttenber sold the estab- 
lishment to Joseph Lawson, Oct. 1, 1857; re-purchased it May 1, 1859, 
and sold it in 1861 to E. W. Gray, who sold to Geo. M. Wan-en (1864), 
who sold to Isaac V. Montanye (1864), who sold to E. M. Ruttenber 
(1865), who sold to A. A. Bensel (1867), who sold to J. J. McNaDy 
(1869), who sold to Dr. Cooper (1874), who sold to N. H. Schram. 
The latter was succeeded by E. J. Horton in 1875. 

The jDublication of the Newburgh Gazette was commenced by John 
D. Spalding, June, 1822. Its subsequent publishers were as foUows: 
Spalding & Parmenter,* from 1825 to 1832; Knevels & Spalding, 
1832 to 1836; Knevels & Leslie,! 1«^6 and 1837; Wallace & Sweet, 
1837 and 1838; Samuel T. CaUahan, 1838 to 1852; William L. AUi- 
son, 1852 to 1855; Royal B. Hancock, 1855 to February 1856, when 
Eugene W. Gray, became the proprietor. In the summer of 1856, 
Mr. Gray commenced, in connection with it, the publication of the 
Daily News, mainly designed for political purposes, and continued it 
until December. He again resumed it in January, and in February, 
1857, united his establishment with the Telegraph. The Gazette and 
the Telegraph were continued as weeklies under the consolidation, and 
the News as a daily until 1864, when the Gazette was dropped and 
the title of News changed to the Daily Telegraph. After a temporary 
discontinuance during the vnnter of 1864, the daily was resumed 
under the title of the Daily Union. In 1866, the title of both the 
weekly and the daily was changed to the Presa. The old title of the 
Telegraph was restored in 1869. 

In 1833 or '34, Mr. Spalding commenced the publication of the 
Newburgh Journal, which he continued until 1843, when he changed 



* Samuel Parmenter, father of the late Genl. S. C. Pannenter. 

t John W. Knevels and William Leslie. Mr. Leslie was the father of Alex. Leslie. 



348 mSTORV OF NEWBURGH. 



the name to the Highland Courier. The Courier was continued by 
Mr. S. until his death, Aug. 22, 1853, and subsequently by his widow, 
Mrs. E. L. Spauldino-, who sold it, in 1855, to William E. Smiley. In 
August, 1858, Edward Nixon became the proprietor. In 1859, Rufus 
A. Reed purchased the establishment and changed the name of the 
paper to the Highland Chieftain.. Mr. Reed sold to Cyrus B. Martin, 
who resumed the title of Newhurgli Journal, and commenced, in 18()8, 
the publication of the Daily Journal. 

In addition to these papers, The Beacon, an anti- Jackson campaign 
paper, was published in 1828; the late Judge William B. W^right was 
its editor. In 1884, Wallace & Sweet published the Natio7}ai Advei'- 
fiser — subsequently merged in the Gazette. Thos. George commenced, 
in 1849, the publication of the Neivburgh Excelsior. This paper was 
purchased by E. M. Ruttenber, in May, 1851, and merged in the Tele- 
graph. In 1855, the publication of the Newburgh American was com- 
menced by R. P. L. Shafer, and continued three or four weeks. In 
March, 185G, the Newburgh Times, a temperance paper, was commen- 
ced by Royal B. Hancock, as agent for an association of gentlemen. 
It subsequently passed into the hands of R. Bloomer & Son, who sold 
to Alexander W^ilson. Charles Blanchard purchased from Mi'. Wil- 
son, and commenced (18G7) the issue of the Newburgh Daily Dem- 
ocrat, but failed in a few months. The establishment was then broken 
up. The Daily Penny Pod was commenced by an association of 
printers in October, 1875; and the Daily MaU by a similar association 
in the spring of 187G. The former was discontinued in June, 1876. 

There have also been several religious publications. In 1824, the 
Rev. J. R. Wnison commenced the publication of a monthly magazine 
of forty-eight pages, under the title of the Evangelical Witness. It 
was devoted to the exposition of the faith of the Reformed Presby- 
terian church, and was continued four years. It was succeeded by 
the Ch'istian Statesman, which lasted only one yeai-. On the 1st of 
March, 183G, by the appointmept of the Synod of that church, the 
Rev, Moses Roney commenced the publication of the Beformed Pres- 
byterian, a montlily magazine of thii-ty-two pages. Mr. Roney re- 
moved this magazine to Pittsburg, Pa., in 18-49. Here he published 
it until his death in 1854; it was subsequently continued there by 
Mrs. Roney, and is now conducted by the Rev. Thos. Sproul. In 
October, 1859, the Rev. David L. Proudlit commenced the pubHcation 
of the Family Visitor, a monthly quarto, which he continued one year. 
In 1845, he i3ublished the first number of the Christian Instructor, a 
monthly magazine of thirty-two pages, which he continued for two 
years. It was then sold to the Rev. J. B. Dales who removed it to 
Philadelphia. In 1856, the Catholic Library Association commenced 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. 349 



the publication of the CathoHr Library Magazine, John Ashhurst, editor, 
which was continued monthly until Avigust, IHfiO. 

Literary sc^rials have been numerous, but withfait permanency. In 
May, 1 832, John W. Knevels issued the first number of a monthly 
quarto called Tablets of Ilural Economy. It was only continu(;d for a 
few months. In 1855, 11. B. Denton commenced the Literary Scra/p- 
Book, a monthly magazine of forty-eiffht pages; but it failed in a 
shoii time. The Acorn, a small monthly, was commenced by an asso- 
ciation of students of Mr. Domanski's school, in 1857, and was dis- 
continued in 1851). The title was suV)sequently resumed in a j)ublica- 
tion by the students of the Newburgli Institute, under the auspices of 
Mr. Siglar. In 1867, S. S. Wood (commenced the publication of the 
Household Advocate, an eight page monthly. Having secured a large 
circulation, he changed the form and the title to /loasehohl Magazine, 
the circulation of which at one time readied sixty thousand. The 
publicration failed in 1874. Meanwhile Mr. Wood, who retired from 
the old publication in 1874 prior to its failure, endeavored to intro- 
duce a larger magazine, but without success. In 18G!), A. A. Bensel 
started the Home, Farm and Oreliard, an eight page weekly, and ran 
it until tlie spring of 187G. The Mtmcal Bulletin, a monthly quarto, 
was issued by Demorest & Burr during the years 1872 and 1871^. 

The list of publications is substantially completed with the titles of 
a series of what were known as "amateur newsi)apers," from 1871 to 
1873— the (hrmi, by Henri Gerard (1871), the Lidex, by J. Walker 
F. Iluttenber (1871), the (JoUector, by D. W. Jagger (1871), the 
Packet, by W. H. Wood and D. W. Corwin (1872), the Laurel, by A. 
MilUgan (1872), and the Amateur Herald, by T. R. Balf (1872). The 
Index survived its contemjjoraries, and closed its life in the hands of 
D. W. Jagger. 

LITEEARY, RELIGIOUS, AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES. 

Newhurgli Lyceum of the Nalaral Hcieiwen. — This society was organ- 
ized Sept. 7, 1824, and had an active existence for several 3'ears. Its 
officers were as follows: President, Wm. Ross; vice presidents, David 
R. Arnell, Albert (Jhristie, A. M. Smith, S. R. Betts, David Fowler; 
cor. secretaries, Jas. R. WiUson, Luther Halsey, Jr. ; treasurer, Wm. 
Seymour; curators, John T. Halsey, John Johnston, Geo. Gordon. 

Neivhurgh Lyceum AnHociation. — The first meeting in reference to 
the organization of the Newburgh Lyceum was held in the High 
School on the evening of Dec. 18, 1837, when a committee, of which 
Rev. Dr. Johnston Avas chairman, was appointed to confer with leading 
citizens on the subject. At a meeting held on the evening of the 2()th, 
Dr. Johnston made a favorable report. A constitution and by-laws 
were submitted by S. W. Eager, N. S. Prime, J. W. Knevels, Saml. 



350 HISTORY OF NEWS URGE. 



Phinney, A. J. Downing, Victor M. Watkins, Jas. H. Perry, A. B. Bel- 
knap, and Jno. J. Monell, committee, which was adopted. The first 
lecture before the association was delivered by Rev. N. 8. Prime, Dec. 
27, 1837. An annual coiirse was maintained until 1844 or 1845. 

Newhurgh Hidorical Society. — This society was organized in Febru- 
ary, 1845, by Rev. John Forsyth, Rev. A. B. Van Zandt, Saml. W. 
Eager, Peter F. Hunn, G. C. Monell, A. J. Prime, M. Stevenson, and 
other gentlemen. At its first meeting. Rev. Dr. Forsyth was elected 
president; Doct. A. J. Prime, secretary; and Doct. M. Stevenson, S. 
W. Eager, and P. F. Hunn, curators. The society had an active ex- 
istence for about two years, during which time a considerable collec- 
tion of manuscrij)ts, coins, minerals, etc., was made, now mainly pre- 
served at Washington's head-quarters. 

Youvg MenH Mutual Improvement Society.— This, society was organ- 
ized Nov. 20, 1840, by David C. Ringland, Jno. K. Lawson, Geo. AV. 
Clarke, and other young men, who took an interest in but were de- 
barred from participation in the debates instituted by the Mechanics' 
Library Association. The society attained considerable strength and 
accumulated a library of about 600 volumes; but after a year or two 
disbanded and transferred its books to the Mechanics. 

Newhurgh Sabhath-school Society. — This society was formed in 1816. 
It was one of the first agencies employed to awaken an interest in 
Sabbath schools, and to promote their establishment in connection 
with the several churches. A union Sabbath-school was conducted 
for several years under its auspices in the session-room of the First 
Presbyterian cluirch. The society continued in existence until the 
object had in \-iew by its founders was accomplished. 

Neivburgh Bible Society. — This society was organized Sej^tember d, 
1818, at a meeting held in the First Presbyterian church, when a 
constitution was adopted and the following officers elected, viz : Jonas 
Storey, president; Isaac Belknap and Jos. Clark, vice presidents; Rev. 
John Johnston, cor, secretary; Charles MiUer, rec. secretary; Benj. F. 
Lewis, treasurer. It still has an active existence. 

Neivburgh MiMmm Society.— The "Newburgh Mission Society," for 
" aiding missions in the propagation of the Gospel," was organized 
in 1823, and continued in existence for several years. 

Young Men's Christian Association. — The first association of this 
character was organized Sept. 15, 1858— Arthur Potts, president. 
The present association is its successor. 

Newburgh Home for the Friendless. — This institution was organized 
m the autumn of 1861, at a meeting of ladies connected with the sev- 
eral churches, under the title of the Newburgh Union Female Guar- 
dian Society. At the meeting of the legislature in 1862, the society 



CHURCHES, SCHOOLS. ETC 



351 



was incorporated, by special act, under the title which it now bears. 
Its object is to provide a home for " friendless or destitute p^irls, under 
fourteen and over three years of apfe, and boys under ten and over 
three years, until permanent homes can be secured for them, by adop- 
tion or otherwise." The Home was organized in the building on the 
north-west corner of Grand and Clinton streets. In 1864, the Acad- 
emy boarding-house building- was purchased and has since been de- 




voted to that jjurpose. Its cost was about $8,700, which was prin- 
cipally obtained from subscriptions. In 1866, from constitution as 
residuary legatee of Lewis Jennings, a fund of $13,097.77 was se- 
cured, the income from which, vnth the addition of subscriptions, has 
hitherto been sufficient to meet the annual expenditures. 

St. Luke's Home and Hospital. — This institution was formally organ- 
ized by the adoption of constitution Nov. 4th, 1874. The first board 
of managers was elected on the 11th of the same month, viz: Mrs. 
Haslit McKim, president; Mrs. Smith Ely, vice president; Mrs. John 
L. Rogers, secretary ; Miss Julia E. LeRoy, treasurer. Soon after or- 
ganization a house was leased on DuBois street and has since been 
occupied. The object of the institution is "to provide a home for the 
aged, the indigent, and the infirm, and a hospital for the sick." 

New England Society. — This society was organized February, 1867, 
(Daniel B. St. John, president,) and has since held annual festivals. 

Masonic. — The first Masonic lodge in this section of the state was 
called American Union Lodge. It was organized under a traveling 
dispensation, and usiiaUy accompanied the head-quarters of the army. 
The first located lodge in Newburgh was Steuben Lodge, No. 18. 
Its charter was applied for by Y. A. Morris and nine others, June 5, 



352 IIISTOUY OF NEWBUIiGH. 

1788, and it was constituted Sept. 27, of that year. No further facts 
in reference to its history or membership can be obtained except that 
Ebenezer Foot, Levi Dodge, and Chas. Chnton, were P. M.'s in 1797. 
Its charter was probably surrendered soon after the commencement 
of the present century. In 1806, Hiram Lodge, No. 131, was constitu- 
ted—Jonathan Fisk, M. ; Chas. Baker, S. W. ; J. E. Drake, J. W. Its 
charter was surrendered in 1831. In 1842, (Sept. 7), the charter was 
revived and the number changed to 92 — Peter F. Hunn, M. ; Minard 
Harris, S. W. ; James Belknaj), J. W. It was again surrendered in 
1844. In 1853, (June 11), Newburgh Lodge, No. 309, was constitu- 
ted; Hudson Eiver Lodge, No. 607, was constituted June 11, 1866; 
Higliland Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M., Feb. 10, 1864; King Solomon's 
Council, No. 31, Feb. 4, 1868; Hudson River Commandery, K. T., 
Sept. 27, 1865; Adonai Grand Lodge of Perfection, 1872.* 

Odd-Fellows. — The following lodges of this order have been located 
in Newburgh, viz : 



Highland Loclffe, No. 6.5. Innt. 1812 

Orange County Lodge, No. 74, " 1842 

Hudson River Lodge, No. 281, " 1847 



Kossuth Lodge, No. 120, Inst. 1850 

Myrtle Degree Lodge, No. 20, " 1845 

Mt. Carmel Encampment, No. 21, " 1845 



The order was in a very flourishing condition about 1851, when it 
began to decay through the divisions growing out of the new consti- 
tution movement. Highland Lodge alone survived the ordeal, and 
now has as its contemporaries Bismark Lodge (German), Mount 
Olive Encampment, and Van Nort Degree Lodge. 

Temperance Societies. — Three divisions of the Sons of Temperance, 
viz: Orange, Quassaick, and Fraternal, were organized prior to 1858; 
also, Avoca Tent of Rechabitcs, a Social Union of the order intro- 
duced by Col. E. L. Snow; a Section of the Cadets of Temperance; 
and a Tent of Good Templars. They all failed after a few years con- 
tinuance, and their places are now supplied by Mission Lodge, New- 
burgh Lodge, and Union Lodge, Good Templars, and St. Patrick's 
T. A. B. Society. 

Miscellaneous. — The Knights of Pythias have two Lodges, Storm 
King and Frederick Wilham; the 0. U. A. M., a Council; the Ger- 
mans, a Mannerchor and Turn Verein; tlic Hebrews, a Bnai Brith 
Lodge and a Kescher Schell Bassel Lodge; and the Catholics an 
O'Connell Benevolent Association and a Mutual Alliance and Benevo- 
lent Association. 



* The oldest located Masonic Lodge in this section of the state was constituted at Fish- 
kill, .Tune 7, 1786, on the petition of Hugh McConnell and others. It bore the title of St. 
Snnon and St. ,Tude Lodge. The second was Steuben Lodce, at Newburgh; the third, St. 
.John s Lodge, No. 21, constituted at Warwick, March 26, 1790; the fourth, Orange Lodge, 
No. 45, at Goshen, March 12, 1796; the fifth, Montgomery Lodge, No. 61, at Montgomery, 
June 14, 1797; the sixth, St. James Lodge, at Middletown, Jan. 6th, 1798; the seventh, 
Ohvc Branch Lodge, at Minnisink, Dec. 7, 1803; the eighth, Hiram Lodge, at Newburgh. 




,M ^!?by J.C.M'raae 




&^yrxcU (/8-i<s^e^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 353 



CHAPTER XIII. 

BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SKETCHES. 



IN addition to the facts given in the previous pages of this work, 
little information has been obtained in reference to the personal 
liistory of any of the members of the comj^any of Palatine immigrants 
by whom the settlement of Newburgh was commenced. The record 
is clear that they had been reduced to extreme poverty, in the place 
of their nativity, "under the calamity which happened last year (1707) 
in the Palatinate by the invasion of the French," and especially "by 
"the frequent incursions of the French and Germans near Landau." 
Those of them who have descendants in the city or county were: 

Joshua Kockerthal. — Joshua Kockerthal, or "de Kockerthal," as 
his name was sometimes written, was called by the Lords of Trade, 
the "High German Minister." He appears to have been the leader 
of the company, but was only a resident of Newburgh a short time 
if at all. The larger company of Palatines who came over in 1710, 
and who were settled in the present county of Columbia, received his 
principal attention, and the last eight or nine years of his life was 
almost wholly spent among them. At the time of his removal to 
America (1708), his family was composed of himself, his wife, and 
three children, whose names and ages are recorded in the return to 
the Lords of Trade* as follows, viz : 

Joshua Kockerthal, ■ Minister, Age 39 | Benifrna Sihvlle Koelcerthal, Child, Al'o 10 
Sibylle Kockerthal, Wife, " 39 | Christian Joshua Kockerthal " '^ 7 

busanna Sibylle Kockerthal, - - - . . . .. .i 3 

Two other children, Cathalina, and Louisa Abigail, were born to him 
after his settlement in this country. He died about the year 1710, and 
his wife probably did not long survive him. Christian Joshua, his son 
received an appointment as clerk or superintendent of one of the Pala- 
tine settlements in Columbia county. He died in 1731, without issue, 
and the family name became extinct. Bcnigna SibyUe married Wil- 
liam Christopher Berkenmyer (the Lutheran minister who performed 
pastoral services at New York and Newburgh in 1725t), and settled 
in Albany county. Susanna Sibylle married WiUiam Heurtin, gold- 
smith, of Bergen county, N. J., and has descendants in the family of 

* Col. Hist., v., 52. Landau is on the Queich in Rhenish Bavaria. f Ante p. 119. 

023 



354 HTSTORY OF NFAVBURGH. 

William Heurtin, of the town of WaHkill. Cathalina married Peter 
Lynch, merchant, of New York; and Louisa Abipfail married John 
Brovort, <i^oldsmith, of New York. The daup^hters became the heirs 
to the lands in Newbvirgh, which were patented to the family, — Be- 
nigna and Susanna holding an interest by virtue of the terms of the 
patent; Cathalina succeeding to the interest held by her mother, and 
Louisa Abigail to that held by her brother, — and they united in a 
sale of the property to James Smith, July 13, 1741.* 

Michael Weigand. — The family of Michael Weigand, another of the 
Palatine immigrants, was composed as follows, viz: 

Michael Weigand, Husbandman, Aged 52 I Anna Maria Weigand, Child, Aged 13 

Anna Catharine Weigand, Wife, " 54 | Tobias Weigand, " " 7 

George Weigand, " " 3 

Weigand located permanently in Newbiirgh, and was the owner of 
lot No. 2 of the patent. His son, Tobias, was chosen one of the trus- 
tees of the Glebe in 1725, and served in that capacity until the elec- 
tion of Golden and Albertson. Martin, the son of Tobias, opened the 
first principal tavern in the place,f and this occupation he continued 
to foUow until his death in 1792, without issue. George, the second 
son of Michael, had several children of Avhom Michael ^ was the father 
of Capt. Martin Weigand, who followed for many years the joint occu- 
pations of dock -builder and fisherman. From George also descended 
the Marlborough families, now represented in Newburgh by J. O. Wy- 
gant. Tobias was the founder of the Monroe branch, now represent- 
ed by James and Charles H. Weygant. 

Charles H. Weygant was born in Cornwall, July 8, 1839. He entered the volunteer 
service, during the war of the rebellion, as captain of A company, 124th regiment ; was 
promoted major, lieutenant-colonel, and colonel : served in nearly all of the engagements 
of the army of the Potomac, and was three times wounded in the field. He was elected 
sheriff of Orange county in 1870, and retired from that position, as he did previously from 
the array, with the credit of faithful and honest administration. 

Melchior Gulch. — The Palatine carpenter, Melchior Gulch, settled 
near Middlehope, and his name appears in the tax-rolls of the pre- 
cinct down to 1729, but in the meantime was changed to GilHs. | 
At the time of their emigration to America the names and ages of the 
family were returned as follows: 

Melchior Gulch, Carpenter, Age 39 | Margaret Gulch, Child, Age 12 

Anna Catharine Gulch, Wife, " 43 | Heinrich Gulch, " " 10 

Margaret, the daughter, married William Ward, and her descendants 
are now to be found in the famous oarsmen, the Ward brothers. It 
is presumed that other children were born in this country. The gen- 

* This statement of facts is from the original deed, then in possession of the late Thomas 
McKissock. The title to the property has since bi^en questioned by William Heurtin, and 
the deed (which is not of record) has been lost. f Ante p. 129. 

X Ante p. i:33. The name is written Melchior Gulch in the records of 1708 ; Melgert the 
Joyncr in 1715, and Melchior GilHs in the patent granted to him in 1719, since which time it 
has boon written Gillis. Descendants through Jacob Gillis arc still residents of the town. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 355 



ealogy of the family, however, cannot now be ascertained. The state- 
ment already made, except that which is of record, is on the authority 
of the late Jesse Gillis of Fostertown. 

— The other members of the original company did not reside in 
Newburgh for any considerable number of years. Their lands, how- 
ever, were purchased by others among whom were Burger Meynders, 
Zacharias Hoffman, James Smith, Nathan Smith, Alexander Golden, 
and Richard Albertson.* 

Burger Meynders. — Burger Meynders was a blacksmith by trade, 
and first settled at Kingston where he owned a lot, house, and shop, 
in 1686. He sold his property there to Frederick PhilHpse (1692), 
and subsequently (1716) purchased from Peter Rose his interest in 
the lands at Newburgh, where he settled. He had two sons, Burger, 
Jr., and Frederick. The former was elected one of the trustees of 
the Glebe in 1744, and held that position until 1747. He resided on 
part of his father's farm (lot No. 2) for which he received a deed 
from his father, March 2, 1726. He subsequently became part^ owner 
of lot No. 3. He sold his Newburgh property (1747) to Jonathan 
Hasbrouck, and removed to Shawangunk, where he erected the mill, 
afterwards occui^ied by James Bate, at the mouth of the Dwaars kill. 
The subsequent history of the family has not been traced. 

Zacharias Hoffman. — Zacharias Hoffman, whose name frequently 
occurs in the early records of the town, lived and died in Shawan- 
gunk, Ulster county. He was one of the trustees of the Glebe from 
1722 until his death, which occurred in 1744. He married Hester 
Bruyn, Oct. 19, 1707, and had five children, of whom Zacharias, Jr., 
occupied the homestead property. 

Aj.exander Golden. — Probably none of the early settlers of New- 
biu-gli took a more leading part in its affaii's than did Alexander Gol- 
den. He was the oldest son of Gov. Gadwallader Golden, f and re- 
moved to Goldcnham with his father in 1728.| He was appointed 
ranger of Ulster county in 1737, and soon after took up his residence 
in the parish of Quassaick, where he had purchased lands, in compa- 
ny with his father, ex-Governor Burnet and others; erected a wharf 
and store-house at what is now the foot of First street, as well as the 
flouring mill subsequently known as Hasbrouck's mill, and engaged 
in mOling, forwarding and mercantile jDursuits. In 1743, he obtained 
a patent for the Newburgh ferry, by virtue of which the privilege is 

* Ante p. 118, 121. 

t A biographical sketch of Gov. Golden may be found in Documentary History of New 
York, iii. 829, with his portrait, autograph, and coat of arms. 

4: In a letter to Mr. Collinson, of London, dated May, 1742, Gov. Golden writes: "My 
family being considerably increased, I left the city at the time Mr. Burnet was removed 
from the Government," >tc. Gov. I3urnet was removed in 1728, which fixes the date of 
Gov. Golden's settlement in this county. 



356 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 

now held. He was active in the movement to wrest the Grlebe from 
the Lutheran chiu'ch, and was instrumental in securing the Golden 
and Albei-tson charter. He erected what Avas known as the Newburgh 
House, at the junction of Golden and Water streets, where he resided 
with his family until about 1762, when he was appointed joint-survey- 
or-gencral with his father and removed to New York. He was sub- 
sequently appointed postmaster of that city, and held that office imtil 
his death, which occurred in 1775, in the 59th year of liis age. He had 
four daughters and two sons, but the relations wliich they sustained 
towards the Gi'own, during the Revolution, compelled their removal 
to England, and his family became extinct in this country.* 

Richard Albertson. — Richard Albertson was a Hollander by birth 
or parentage. He removed to Newburgh from Long Island some- 
time about 1740; was elected one of the trustees of the Glebe in 
1749; was sheriff of Ulster county in 1752. He is presumed to have 
had sons Joseph and Richard. The latter was born in 1752, and had 
1. Grant; 2. Jeremiah; 3. Lucretia; 4. Lydia; 5. Joseph; 6. Maria; 
7. Elsie. Jeremiah (2), born Dec. 12th, 1785, died in 1844; married 
Roxanna Preston and had Washington, John, Lois, Gharles, and Rox- 
anna, of whom Washington is a resident of Newburgh. The family 
is one of the few that lias been continuous since first settlement. 

— Several of the princij)al families who located here at an early pe- 
riod, as well as in more modern times, may be noticed more at length. 



THE SMITH FAMILY. 

James Smith, the ancestor of the Smith family of Newburgh, w.as a 
native of Ireland, and came to tliis country sometime about the year 
1735. Ho settled temj^orarily in' New Windsor, but subsequently 
removed to Newburgh, having purchased from the heirs of Joshua 
Kockerthal, in 1741, lot No. 5, in the original division of the German 
patent. I He erected a log house near a spring on what is now Smith 
street, between First and Second streets, and engaged in clearing the 
land and in the general pursuit of husbandry. On his death, the farm 
descended to his son Benjamin, who resided in the old homestead 
house for a time and subsequently erected the dwelling on the south- 
west corner of Liberty and CampbeU streets. He sold the western 
part of the farm to Thomas Woolsey, and laid out (1782) the eastern 



Ante p. 121, 122. Cadwallader Golden, the second son of Gov. Golden, resided at Col- 
denhani until his death. He was also interested in lands in Newburgh, and was active in 
many of tlu^ local affairs of the town, especially in connection with the old St. George's 
church and the Cxlobc lands. The Coldens residing in Newburgh at the present time are 
his descendants. 

t Ante p. 121. " James Edmonston (of New Windsor) married Margaret Smith in Ire- 
land. She was the sister of James Smith, whom she brought to this country, and the 
aunt ol Benjamin Smith, his son."— i'o^w'.s Oratige Comiiy, 620. 



BIOORAPHKJAL SKETCHES. 357 



part in lots under the name of the Township of Washinj^on.* He 
appears to have contributed Uberally to the estabhshment of churches 
and schools, and to have been a citizen of some enterprise. During 
the early part of the controversy with the mother country, he main- 
tained the character of a whi<^-, and was one of the first signers of the 
pledge of association, and also an officer in the local militia. After 
the declaration, however, it is said that he refused to be a party to 
separation from royal authority, and whUe on his way to New York 
(1777), in company with several persons who were known to be dis- 
affected, he was arrested tjn a charge of intention to join the enemy 
and, with his associates, was confined in the jail at Kingston,f and the 
goods found in his possession were confiscated. He was so(jn after 
released on ' parole, and resumed his residence in Newbiu-gh. He 
strongly affirmed his innocence of any intention to join the enemy, 
and subsequently brought a suit against the committee of sequestra- 
tion to recover the value of the property taken from him at the time 
of his arrest; but the legislature passed a law (1782) forbidding the 
courts from entertaining actions of that character. | 

Benjamin Smith married, June IG, 1701, Elizabeth Leonard. He 
died in 1813. His children were: 1. Betsey, who married Aaron Fair- 
child; 2. Mary, who married John Anderson; 3. Jane, who married 
Robert Gardiner; 4. William L., who married Maria Cole, of King- 
ston; 5. Abigail, who married Thomas Hinds; 6. James, who was lost 
at sea; 7. Benjamin, who died unmarried; 8. Bridget, who married 
Jonathan Carter; and 9. Catharine, who manned Henry Tudor. 

William L. Smith (4) was the principal heir to his father's estate. He erected the 
homestead house on the corner of Liberty and South streets, where he resided for several 
years, and was engaged in mercantile and agricultural pursuits. He enjoyed the confi- 
dence of his fellow-citizens to a high degree, and repeatedly held stations of local oliticial 
trust. His children were : 1. Benjamin, b. July 30, 1803; 2. Catharine C, b. April 29, 1805; 
3. William 1'. C, b. Dec. 11, 1807 ; 4. John Fletcher, b. Dec. 23, 1809 ; 5. Gardinier, b. Nov. 
30, 1812 ; 6. Elizabeth L., b. Feb. 24, 1815 ; 7. Cornelius C, b. Aug. (i, 1817 ; 8. Maria C, 
b. Jan. 1820 ; 9. Richard C, b. Dec. 14, 1823 ; 10. Anna Eliza. Benjamin married Caroline 
Knox Thacher, granddaughter of Genl. Knox ; Catharine C, married John E. Parmalee ; 
Wilham P. C, married Glorianna Butterworth ; John F. married Nancy Thompson ; Gar- 
dinier married Jane Cole, of Kingston ; Elizabeth L., unmarried ; Cornelius C, married 
Margaret DeWitt, of Kingston, where he now resides ; Maria C, married Thomas H. 
Booth, died July 11, 18.54, without issue; Anna Ehza died young: Richard C, resides in 
Newburgh. Cornelius C, Richard C, Thomas H. Booth, and John E. Parmelee were for 
several years merchants in Newburgh, the former notably as a member of the firm of 
Wardrop, Smith <fc Co. 



THE BELKNAP FAMILY. 

The Belknap family — or Belknappe,§ as the name was originally 

* Ante p. 159. t Proceedings Prov. Conv., 872. i Laws of New York, 1782. 

§ The etymology of the name is Bel {belie), the feminine of beau— tine, beautiful, pleas- 
ant (Boyer), and Knap {knappe), or knoll of a hill. Literally rendered, " the people of 
the beautiful hill." 



358 HISTORY OF NEWBUBGH. 

written — is of Norman origin, and can be satisfactorily traced back 
to the time of William the Conqueror (1066). They maintained con- 
siderable distinction in England at an early period — Sir Robert Bel- 
Imappe having been created chief justice in the reign of Edward the 
Third (1375). In 1687, Abraham Belknap, from whom the branch 
of the family in this country trace their descent, emigrated from 
England and settled in Lynn, Mass. He subsequently removed to 
Salem, where he died in 1643, leaving four sons and a daughter, viz: 
1. Abraham; 2. Jeremy; 3. Joseph; 4. Samuel, and 5. Hannah. 
Joseph was born in England about the year 1630. He settled in 
Boston, where he was admitted a freeman in 1655. He was one of 
the founders of the "third" or " old South Church," in 1668, from 
whence he took dismission to Hatfield, where he lived in good esteem 
from 1682 to 1696. He returned to Boston during the latter year, 
and died in that city Nov. 14, 1712, at the age of 82 years. Pie had 
three wives, viz: 1st. Ruth, by whom he had: 1. Joseph, b. Jan. 26, 
1658; 2. Mary, b. Sept. 25, 1660; 3. Nathaniel, b. Aug. 13, 1663; 4. 
Elizabeth, b. July 1, 1665. 2d. Lydia, by whom he had: 5. Ruth, b. 
Nov. 27, 1668. 3d. Hannah, by whom he had: 6. Thomas, b. June 
29, 1670; 7. John, b. June 1, 1672; 8. Hannah, b. June 8, 1673; 9. 
Ruth, b. March 17, 1676; 10. AbigaH, b. June 27, 1678; 11. Abra- 
ham, b. April 26, 1681; 12. Samuel, date of birth uncertain. 

Thomas Belknap (6) married Jane, daughter of Thomas Cheney, 
of Cambridge, Mass., and settled in Woburn, where he purchased 
(June 29, 1698,) a tract of land at a place called "forty pound mead- 
ows." His cliildren were: 1. Thomas; 2. Jane; 3. Benjamin, 4. Han- 
nah; 5. Samuel, born May 24, 1707; and, it is supposed, 6. Joseph. 
Four of these children, viz: Thomas, Benjamin, Samuel, and Joseph, 
removed to and settled in Newbm-gh, and its vicinity, at different 
dates from 1749 to 1763. The first settlement was made by Samuel, 
who purchased (1749) nearly aU the tract known as the Baird patent, 
which he divided with his brother Thomas.* 

The genealogy of the family is so voluminous that it is necessarily 
materially abridged in these pages. Samuel Belknap, the immediate 



* Thomas, Joseph, and Benjamin, settled in New Windsor, where Joseph was clerk of 
the precinct in 1763, and subsequently assessor. Thomas married Sarah Hill, Dec. 14, 
1726, and had: 1. Thomas; 5. Sarah; 3. Joseph; 4. John; 5. Jonathan. Benjamin mar- 
ried Hannah Richardson, and had: 1. Abraham; 2. Ruth; 3. Isaac; 4. Hannah; 5. Jed- 
uUian; 6. Sarah; 7. OUve. Joseph married Margaret Russell, of Watertown, Mass., April 
9, 1754, and had: 1. Thomas; 2. Joseph; 3. Phebe; 4. Lydia; 5. Daniel; 6. James. Joseph 
(2), son of Joseph (1), married Sarah Clement, and had I.James; 2. Harriet, married 
Eli Hasbrouck; 3. Ann Eliza; 4. Sarah; 5. Elsie, married Thomas McKissock ; 6. Thomas; 
7. Amanda, married Lews D. Lockwood. James (6) was born in the town of Crawford, 
March 24, 1793. He married Clarissa Ring, daughter of Samuel Ring, of Cornwall, June, 
1816, and settled in Newburgh where he resided until his death. He served with credit in 
the militia during the war of 1812, and filled, with great satisfaction to the public, several 
local official stations, includiug that of postmaster. John (4) was a captain in the conti- 
nental service during the Revolution. (Ante p. 87, 279.) 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 359 



ancestor of the principal part of the family in this town, married 
Lydia Stearns, by whom he had: 1. William, b. May 27, 1730; 2. 
Ruth, b. Nov. 11, 1731; 3. Isaac, b. Dec. 14, 1733; 4. Samuel, b. 
Oct. 18, 1735; 5. Lydia, b. Feb. 28, 1737; 6. Abel, b. Jan. 13, 1739; 

7. Mary, b. Jan. 9, 1740; 8. Ruth, b. May 14, 1742; 9. David, b. Jan. 
14, 1744; 10. Abigail, b. AprH 17, 1745; 11. Jonathan, b. Sept. 7, 
1748; 12. Olive, b. April 5, 1751. Of these chHdren— 

(1) WiUiam married first Hannah Flagg, by whom he had: 1. Wil- 
liam, 2. Hannah, 3. Abel, 4. Samuel, 5. Josiah (died), 6. Josiah, 7. 
Lydia, 8. Gershom and a twin daughter. His second wife was Marj^ 
Flagg, by whom he had: 9. Cyrus, and 10. Mary. The only member 
of this branch of the family who settled in Newburgh was William, 
(1) who married Martha Carscadden, July 20, 1785, by whom he had: 
1. William, 2. Lydia (married Edmund Sanxay), 3. Hannah, 4. Stephen, 
5. Robert, 6. George, 7. Nancy, and 8. Susanna. 

(2) Ruth died young. 

(3) Isaac married first Bridget Richardson, of Woburn, Mass., by 
whom he had: Bridget, Isaac, Mary married Derick Amerman,* Eliz- 
abeth married John Warren, Olive, Bridget married Leonard Carpen- 
ter, Richardson, Abel, W^illiam, and OHve. Mrs. Belknap died Aug. 

8, 1777, and he married, second, Mrs. Deborah Coffin,f widow of 
Capt. Caleb Coffin, Sept 10, 1778, by whom he had: Amelia married 
Charles BirdsaU, ^Vlden, Briggs, Judah, Lydia, and Deborah. He 
died April 29, 1815, aged 82. 

Isaac Belknap was one of the truest, sons of America during his whole hfe, and espec- 
ially throughout the di'eary struggle for independence. Previous to the war he was en- 
gaged in the freighting business between Newburgh and New York, and not unfrequently 
extended his commercial ventures to the more eastern ports as well as to the West India 
Islands. When the troubles with the mother country came on, he entered into active ser- 
vice in defence of the cause of the colonists, and was early appointed captain of a com- 
pany of rangers. He was afterwards in the regular service as assistant deputy quarter- 
master-general. After the war he resumed the freighting business and continued in it as 
long as he was able to follow the arduous occupation.:}; 

His son, Isaac Belknap, Jr., was born Oct. 3, 1761. He married, first, Elizabeth Cole- 
man, daughter of Joseph Coleman, of Newburgh, formerly of Sherburn, Nantucket Island, 
and had: Elizabeth, Richardson, and Fanny C, who married David Crawford. Mrs. Belk- 
nap died Jan. 9, 1816, and he married, second, Mrs. Susan Smith, widow of William H. 
Smith. He was a man of great personal worth and high moral character. He died Jan. 
26, 18i5, aged 84 years. From a notice of his life and character, which appeared in the 
village papers at the time of his decease, the following is copied : " The deceased has long 

* Derick Amerman was the son of Albert Amerman, a native of Holland. He was born 
in New York, and removed to Newburgh at the age of 15 years. After the Revolution he 
engaged in the milling business with Abel Belknap, which business he relinquished for that 
of freighting, which he followed for forty years. He died March 4, 1826, in his 67th year. 

t Mrs. Coffin was the daughter of Col. Briggs Alden, of Duxbury, Mass., and a lineal 
descendant from John Alden, one of the pilgrims by the May Flower. 

:j: Isaac Belknap and George Gardner commenced the freighting business in 1790, from 
Benjamin Birdsall's dock (formerly the Colden dock), as appears from a handbill which has 
been preserved. They had two sloops which they sailed alternately on Saturaays. Gard- 
ner subsequently continued the business. (Ante p. 244, etc.) 



3(50 HISTORY OF NEWBUnOH. 

been widely known as one of our oldest and most substantial citizens. At an early age he 
was engaged in the service of his country during her Revolutionary struggle, and subse- 
quently filled with credit many important posts of honor and usefulness. As a member of 
the state legislature, judge of the county court, and president of the bank of Newburgh, 
he had established in former years a reputation for integrity, sound sense, and good feel- 
ing, which secured for him the sincerest respect and esteem of all who knew him. 15ut 
as the crowning excellence of his character, he was for many years distinguished as a de- 
voted and consistent follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was an accepted and honored 
elder of the Reformed Dutch Church from the time of its organization until his decease, 
and those who were associated with him in this capacity, as well as others, can bear hono- 
rable testimony to his practical wisdom, piety and worth." 

(4) Samuel, married, first, Mrs. Abigail Lewis, and had Abigail, 
Timothy, and Kuth. His second wife was Abigail Flagg, by whom 
he had Raphael, Samuel, Olive, Elizabeth, Lydia, Setli, and Chai'les. 
He died March 31, 1821. 

Samuel Belknap, prior to the Revolution, resided at Woburn, Mass, and occupied the 
homestead and mills which were erected by his father, and to which was attached a large 
and productive farm situated on the public road leading to Concord. In the early part of 
the controversy with England, he was active in the cause of the colonists ; and, in 1775, ho 
organized a company, of which he was captain, and took part in the conflict at Concord. 
During the following year he was in the engagement at White Plains, and subsequently 
rendered much efficient service in the field. After the war he was elected to the legisla- 
ture of his native state, where hti served to the ample satisfaction of his constituents. He 
afterwards removed to Newburgh where he resided until his death. 

His son, Samuel Belknaj), Jr., was born Dec. 10, 17C5. He married Mary Goldsmith, 
April (i, 1790, by whom lie had Lucinda. Ira, William Goldsmith, Samuel, and Fanny. He 
died May 19, 1845. His son, Wilham Goldsmith Belknap, was born Sept. 7, 1794. He 
married Ann Clark, daughter of Joseph Clark, of Newburgh, and had Anna Mary, Clara, 
WilUam Worth, and Frederick Augustus. He entered the miUtary service at the age of 
18 years, and took part in the war of 1812, through which he served as an officer with dis- 
tinction to himself and honor to his country. His conduct during the attack by the British 
on Fort Erie (Aug. 15, 1814), drew from Genl. Rii)ley the following remarks in his report, 
viz : " The manner in which Lieutenant Belknap, of the 23d, retired with his picquet guard 
from before the enemy's column, excites my particular commendation. He gave orders 
to tii(! three times as he was retreating to the camp, himself bringing up the rear. In this 
manner he kept the light advance of the enemy in check for a distance of two or three 
hundred yards. I have to regret, that when entering our hues after his troops, the enemy 
pushed so close upon him that he received a severe wound with the bayonet." In the war 
with Jlexico, he shared largely in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. The 
citizens of Newburgh, at a public meeting held on the 27th of June, 1846, caused a sword 
to be made and presented to him in their name, as a mark of their appreciation of his dis- 
tinguished services. He died near Fort Washita, in the Chickasaw Nation, November 10, 
1851. His army record is as follows, viz : Appointed 3d heutenant, 23d infantry, April, 
1813; 2d heutenant, October, 1813; 1st lieutenant, August, 1814; transferred to 2d infantry 
May, 1815; transferred to 3d infantry. May, 1821; captain 3d infantry, Feb. 1822; major 
8th infantry, January, 1842; lieutenant-colonel 5th infantry, 2Cth Sept. 1847. Brevetted 
major, Feb. 1832, for ten years service in one grade; lieutenant-colonel March 15, 1842, for 
general good conduct in the war agauist the Florida Indians, and for securing by military 
operations a great luunber of prisoners; colonel, 9th May, 184t), for gallant and distin- 
guished services in the battle of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; bi-igadier-general, 2nd 
Feb. 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Buena Vista. 

His son, William Worth Belknap, was born at Newburgh on the 22d September, 1829, 
and after attending the High School and the Academy, entered the College of New Jersey 
at Princeton, hi the year 1846, and graduated from that institution in June, 1848. After 
studying law in Georgetown, D. C, and being admitted to the bar in the city of Washing- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 361 



ton, he went, in the year 1851, to Keokuk, Iowa, and commenced the practice of law in 
that city. He was a member of the legislature of Iowa in 1857, as a representative of the 
democratic party ; but being what was known at that time as a Douglas democrat, and 
not uniting with the members of that party who favored what was known as the Lecomp- 
ton constitution, of Kansas, which was an important and exciting question in the politics 
of that party, he joined the republican party. 

Ho was appointed major 15th Iowa volunteers in November, 1861, and participated in 
that capacity in the battle of Shiloh. He remained in the army until the close of the war, 
rising gradually through all the grades of Ueutenant-colonel. colonel and brigadier-gene- 
ral, and was brevetted major-general in 1865, for gallant and meritorious services during 
the war. Having as brigadier-general of volunteers, commanded the 3d brigade, 4th di- 
vision, 17th army corps (Blair's) of the army of the Tennessee (McPherson's), he was in 
numerous battles, the most important of which were Shiloh (where he was wounded and had 
a horse shot under him), the several battles of Atlanta, the battle of Benton ville, N. C, 
etc. He was engaged in the sieges of Corinth, Vicksburgh and of Atlanta, and accompa- 
nied Sherman in his grand march from Atlanta to the sea, then to Goldsboro', Raleigh 
and Washington. He was repeatedly mentioned for coolness and courage, and in the 
battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864, he took prisoner Colonel Lampley, 45th Alabama, by pull- 
ing him over the works by his coat collar. At the close of the war, being honorably mus- 
tered oul of service in 1865, he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the first 
district of Iowa, and remained in that position until the latter part of 1869, when, in the 
month of October, he was appointed Secretary of War by President Grant and remained 
in that position until March 2, 1876, when he resigned, 

(5) Lydia married Edward Riggs, Nov. 25, 1782, and settled in New 

York, but subsequently removed to Newburgli. She died Jan. 9, 1824. 

Mrs. IlicGS was a school teacher, and it is said that she taught DeWitt Clinton his 
letters. She was present at the inauguration of Washington, at the old Federal HaU, 
corner of Wall and Nassau streets, New York. She was a woman remarkable for her 
piety, education, and virtue; and it is said of her, that she maintained " that distinction 
under a democracy which a regal government would confer upon rank.'' 

(6) Abel married, first, MoUy Richardson, Oct. 4, 17G5, by whom 
he had: Stephen, Chancey, Sarah, and MoUy. He man-ied, second, 
Hannah Williams, of Huntington, L. I., June 6, 1776, and had Rachel 
Fleet. His thii'd wife, was Hannah Williams, of Sharon, Conn., by 
whom he had: Abel, Moses Higby, Aaron, Margaret, Edwin Starr, 
and Julia Ann. He died Nov. 15, 1804, in the 66th year of his age. 

The liightst of Man, of Nov. 19, 1804, referring to the death of Abel Belknap, remarks: 
"This venerable, useful and truly pious citizen, enjoyed the esteem of all who knew him. 
As a magistrate, he conscientiously performed the imjjortant duties of his office; as a hus- 
band, parent, relative, and friend, he attained to patriarchal years, not only without re- 
proach, but such was the blameless tenor of his Hfc, that his decease is a subject of gen- 
eral regret." His sons — Stephen, Chancey, Abel, Moses Higby, and Aaron, — enjoyed for 
many years the high esteem and confidence of the community. The business enterprises 
of Stephen and Chancey were extensive, and contributed in no small degree to the early 
commercial prosperity of the town. Stephen was born Aug. 4, 1766, and died Oct 28, 
1848. He married Mrs. Sarah Mace and had: Dr. SavilUan, who died unmarried at Mobile; 
Mary C, who married Aaron B. Gardiner; Chancey F., and Rufus R. Chancey was born 
March 13, 1768, and died in June, 1840. He married, first (July 9, 1788), Sarah, daughter 
of Jonathan Belknap, by whom he had: Mary, d. unmarried; Stephen, d. in infancy, 
Sarah, who married, first, James Black, and second, David Brown; and Rebecca, d. un- 
man ied. By his second wife, Mercy, who was also a daughter of Jonathan Belknap, he 
had: Rufus R., b. Dec. 9, 1797; Thomas, d. in infancy; Clarissa; Mercy; CorneUa, m. Alsop 
Stewirt; Clementine; Rachel; Chancey; Jane Ann, m. David E. Fowler; and Lynde, m. 



862 



HISTORY OF NEWBUBGH. 



Sarah Titus, of Jamaica, L. I. He served successively in the miUtary grades of lieutenant, 
captain, major, colonel, and brigadier general; was one of the corporators of the Bank 
of Newbnrgh; elector of president and vice .president in 1812, and, as already remarked, 
was extensively engaged in milling, freighting, and other branches of business. Abel was 
born Dec. 30, 1785 ; died Oct. 19, 1854; m. first, Mary, daughter of Samuel O. Gregory,* 

who died January 19, 1833, without issue ; and 
second, Sally D. Munn, who died in 1855, also 
without issue. Moses H., was born Sept. 23, 
1787; died January 4, 1855; m. tirst, Margaret, 
daughter of Saml. O. Gregory, who died Feb. 
27, 1824, leaving two children, Ruletta G., who 
died Aug. 11, 1850 ; and Abel W., who married 
Sarah, daughter of Capt. Saml. Johnson, died 
June 26, 1847, leaving one child, Abel W. His 
second wife was Ruth P. Cook, who died Oct. 
23, 1833, leaving one child, Moses Cook, now 
cashier of the Highland National Bank. He 
was a member of the Boai-d of Trustees of the 
village and president of that body for several 
terms; was one of the founders of the New- 
burgh High School, and held other local po- 
sitions with credit. Aaron was born July 20, 
1789; died March 14, 1847. He married Mary 
Josepha L. S., daughter of Samuel Belknap 
(4), and had: Ethelbert B., died young; Sam- 
uel M., d. in infancy: and Aaron 
. y ^ ^ Betts. He was a lawyer of some 

^^^ j^^^y^^ y^ considerable rank, and a mem- 

-"^^ ' ^*^^^//y'^^-^^*yT ber of the fii-m of Betts & Belk- 
Edwin Starr, the youngest son of Abel (6), was born Dec. 11, 1794; married Rachel 
T. Price, and settled in the city of New York. 

(7) Mary, born Jan. 9, 1739, died July 15, 1820. 

(8) Ruth died May (5, 1745. 

(9) David married 8arali Case, and had: Olive, David, Daniel C, 
Hezekiah,! Sarah, Justin, Fanny, Charlotte, and Oliver. He died 
March 11, 18:U. 

(10) Abigail married Josiah Talcott, by whom she had: Lydia, 
Josiah, Jeffrey, Samuel, Olive, Jonathan, David and Abigail. She 
resided in Newburgh only a few years after her marriage, but removed 
to Hancock, Mass., where, with her husband, she united with the 
society of Shakers. She died in May, 1793. 

(11) Jonathan died unmarried. May 9, 1774. 

(12) Olive died unmarried, March 14, 1770. 




nap. 



* Sanmel O. Gregory came from Morristown, N. J., and soon after settling in Newburgh 
opened a shoe store. His first wife was Ruletta Cook ; his second, Eunice Fairchild. His 
children were : Mary, who married Abel Belknap ; Margaret who raarried Moses H. Belk- 
nap ; Sarah; Jane, who married EHjahS.Sneeden ; x\nn, who married William Ely ; George 
W., and Odell. Tiie latter settled in Owcgo. 

t Hezckiah Belknap was born July 26, 1781. He graduated at Princeton College in 1805, 
with high standing in his class, and was subsequently employed as tutor for the Sophoriore 
class of that institution. This station he resigned in 1807, and commenced the study of iaw. 
He died May 23, 1814. He is spoken of as one who from his youth upward " sustained a 
character wortiiy of emulation." 



BIOGRAFIUVAL SKETCHES. 363 



THE MERRITT FAMILY. 

George Merritt, the ancestor of the Merritt family in this town, 
was born in the year 1702, and died Feb. 2, 1750. It is presumed 
that he was the son of John Merritt, Senr., a native of Enghxnd, who 
settled in the town of Rye, Westchester county, as early as 1680, 
and who was one of its projDrietors in 1715.* He married Glorianna 
Purdy (who died Sept. 13, 1765, aged 51 yrs., 5 mos., 13 days), and 
removed to Newburgh sometime about the year 1747, in company 
Mdth the Purdy and Fowler families, with whom he was connected by 
marriage. His children were: 1. George; 2. Samuel; 3. Caleb; 4. 
Gabriel; 5. David; 6. Josiah; 7. Humphrey; 8. Elizabeth, " married 
Thomas Merritt ;t 9. Jane, born Sept. 25, 1747, died March 2, 1807, 
married first, Morris Flewwelling, and second, Elnathan Foster; 10. 
Glorianna, married Joseph Morey.| 

(1) George married first, Maiy Fowler (who died July 5, 1799), 
and had: 1. George; 2. Gabriel; 3. Samuel; 4. Humjihrey; 5. Fowler; 
6. John; 7. Charlotte; 8. Jane; 9. (xlorianna; 10. Mary. He married 
second, Sarah, widow of Wolvert Ecker. 

(2) Samuel married Phila Townsend and had several childi'en. He 
died Dec. 26, 1811, in his 74th year. 

(3) Caleb, born July, 1735, died Nov. 29, 1793, married Martha 
Purdy (born Jan. 1736, died June 24, 1783,) and had: 1. Abigail, 
man-ied George Weygant; 2. Elizabeth, married Dr. David Fowler; 
3. Glorianna, married Isaac Fowler. 

(4) Gabriel died in 1776, without issue. 

(5) David married Nelly Weygant and had: 1. Jane, who mai-ried 
John Hait; 2. Elizabeth, who married Nathaniel Harcouii. 

(6) Josiah died March 12, 1817; married first, Anna Purdy (who 
died Jan. 9, 1786, in her 30th year,) and had: 1. Gabriel; 2. Josiah; 
3. Esther, who married Zephania Northrop; 4. Nancy, who married 
Mowbray Carpenter; 5. Alathea, who married John Brower. He 
married second, Eachel Sherwood, and had: 6. David; 7. Joseph; 8. 
Phebe, who married Andrew Cropsey. 

(7) Humphrey, § born May 17, 1737; purchased (1758) part of the 
farm on which his grandson, the late Daniel Merritt, resided at Mid- 
dlehope. His children were: 1. Glorianna; 2. Mary; 3. Underhill; 4. 
Caleb; 5. Charlotte; 6. Moses. Underhill (3) was born Feb. 7, 1769, 

* Bolton (Hist. West. Co. ii. 32, 95), gives the names of John Merritt, Senr. (1680), and 
conttiinporaneously with him, that of Thomas Merritt— subsequently stating that the latter 
was the son of the former. The original homestead of the family was in the jjossession 
of one of the descendants of John, Senr., as late as 1848. 

t " A Colonel of Cavalry in the Queen's Rangers, 1780. He died at St. Catharines, in 
Canada, May, 1842, aged 82 years." He was a grandson of the first John. 

4; It is possible that the names here given are not arranged in the order of birth. 

§ The names " Humphrey " and " Underhill," are from Humphrey Underhill, one of the 
original proprietorB of the town of Rye, with whom the Merritts were connected. 



364 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



and died Nov. 19, 1804.* His children were: 1. Martha, b. Jul}^ 8, 
1794, married Gilbert Holmes, settled in Newbui'gh, died Sept. 14, 
1848; 2. Josiah, b. Aug-. 21, 1796, was the father of Caleb Merritt; 3. 
Daniel, b. March 10, 1799, d. May 7, 1867, had four children: Hiram, 
Mary J., Daniel H., and Theodore; 4. Ehzabeth, b. March 12, 1799 
(twin sister to Daniel), married John Goodsell, died Dec. 28, 1824, 
leaving Charles W. Goodsell (now deceased,) and Elizabeth M. Good- 
sell (married Jonathan N. Weed,) children her surviving ; f 5. Char- 
lotte, b. Sept. 19, 1801, married Joseph Furman, settled in Plattekill, 
died August 24, 1824; 6. Maria, b. April 24, 1804, married Robert 
Phillips| and had three children, viz: Jeanette Y., married Richard A. 
Olmstead; Mary A., married AVilliam A. Owen; and Willard M. 



THE FLEWWELLING FAMILY. 

The FlewweUings were of Welsh origin, and were among the early 
settlers of Long Island, from whence John Flewwelling removed to 
Newburgh sometime about 1760. He married Elizabeth Smith and 
had: 1. John, married Deborah Denton and had ten childi-en, all of 
whom died young; 2. Morris, married Jane Merritt and had one 
daughter, Elizabeth, who married William Palmer; 3. Abel, married 
Abigail Purdy and had Charlotte who married Samuel Pm-dy, Eliza- 
beth who married William Harding, Samuel who married Julia Caul- 
lield, Clarissa who married John Fowler, John who married Eunice 
Palmer, Abigail who married Thomas Fowler, Amelia who married 
Richard Taylor, Guilford who married Leah Harding; Jane who mar- 
ried George Harding; 4. Sarah, married Nehemiah Denton; 5. Mary, 
married Cornehus Polhamus; and 6. Hannah, married George Wins- 
low. John (1) was supervisor of the town in 1773, and Morris (2) 
held the same position in 1776. James, whose name is not given 
above, is presumed to have been a member of the same family. § 

* "Mr. Underbill Merritt, the father of Daniel Merritt, Esq., came by accident to a most 
horrible death, in November, 1804. His neighbor, Mr. Caleb Fowler, had a frolic, drawing 
wood, and Mr. Merritt was among the number assisting him. Alter being loaded and on 
his way to Mr. Fowler's, he was walking beside his wagon, and in an attempt to get on, as 
was supposed, his feet caught in the lines, which started his horses and threw hmi under 
the wheels of the wagon, which ran over his arm and head. His arm was broken in two 
places, and bis brains crushed so that they laid in the road."'— Zager's Orange County, 88. 

+ "Mrs. Goodsell was a person of an amiable temper, a pattern of piety, and a worthy 
member of the church of Christ. She died in the full triumph of the Cliristian faith, which 
faith she had for years experienced to be the power of God, to the salvation of her soul." 
~ Political Index, Dec. 28, 1824. 

t Robert rhillii)s was horn at East Bridgewater, Mass., May 20, 1802. He removed to 
Newburgh ui 181G, and learned the trade of tinsmith with his uncle, David Phillips, who 
commenced busmess here about 1814. His father, John Phillips (born at East Bridge- 
water, died m Newburgh, Sept. 23, 1833, aged 76 years), joined the Revolutionary army, at 
Roxbury, Mass., at the age of 19 years. At the organization of Washington's Life Guard, 
at Valley Forge m 1779, he was one of the two chosen from his regiment for service in that 
capacity, and remained there until the close of the war, attaining the rank of Sergeant. 
The Guard, among other duties, had charge of the quarters, and also of the supplies for 
\yashiiigton's table ; the latter duty mainly devolved upon Sergeant Philhps. David Phil- 
lips, the uncle of Robert, died in Newburgh in 1832, aged 67 ; he left three daughters 
who conducted for several years a select school for young ladies. § Ante p. 137, 140. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 365 



THE FOWLER FAMILY. 

The Fowler family of Newburg'h is of EnjSflisli ancestry. Monu- 
mental records at Islington, near London, show the death of John 
Fowler, at that place, in 1538, and it is added in the work from which 
this fact is taken, that " divers of this family lie here interred, the an- 
cestors of Sir Thomas Fowler, Knight and Baronet, living 1630." * 
The oldest branches of the family in this country appear to have de- 
scended from Philip Fowler, who was admitted a freeman of Massa- 
chusetts colony in 1634, and who settled at Ipswich, and from William 
Fowler, who came over in 1637, and settled at New Haven, where, 
being one of the few immigrants who had received a classical educa- 
tion, he soon became a man of distinction, and is known, historically, 
as "the first magistrate of New Haven." The relationship between 
Phnip and Wilham cannot now be ascertained, nor can their descend- 
ants be positively traced except in a few instances. It is presumed, 
however, from the predominant given names in the different branches 
of the family, as well as from the proximity of the localities where they 
settled, that " all of this name in Connecticut and New York originated 
from William Fowler, of New Haven, the magistrate of 1637." "j" 

The genealogy of the Fowlers of Newburgh is traced from Joseph, 
who is mentioned as a first settler near Mespat KiUs, L. I., 1665, and 
who is supposed to have been the son of William, Jr., of New Haven. | 
Joseph had WOham, who had: 1. John; 2. Jeremiah. John (1) was 
born at Flushing, L. I., in 1686, and was the father of 1. Samuel; 2. 
Isaac; 3. John; 4. James; 5. Nehemiah. His sons, Samuel and John, 
having purchased a portion of the Harrison patent, § he removed, with 
the other members of his family, to Newburgh and continued his re- 
sidence here until his death, which occurred in 1768. Jeremiah (2) 
settled at Rye, Westchester county, where he died in 1766. The de- 
scendants of John (1) were: 

(1) Samuel was bom in the year 1720; married Charlotte Purdy, 

granddaughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Ogden) Purdy, and had: 1. 

Mary, married George Merritt, Jr.; 2. Elizabeth, married Samuel 

Clark; 3. Charlotte, married Daniel Gidney; 4. Martha, married 

Reuben Tooker; 5. Abigail, married Abel Flewwelling; 6. Glorianna, 

married John Fowler (nephew of Samuel); 7. Samuel. He died Oct. 

13, 1789, aged 69 years and 1 day, and his wife, Charlotte, died July 

30, 1791, aged 74 years and 10 months. 

Kamuel Fowler was an influential citizen of the town for some thirty years. His son, 
Samuel (7), was for forty years a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his resi- 

* Weever's Funeral Monuments. 

t Bolton's History of Westchester county, ii. 519. See, also, " Genealogical Memoir of 
the Descendants of Ambrose Fowler, of Windsor, Conn." 

:j: Biker's Annals of Newtown, L. I. § Ante p. 132. 



36(j HISTORY OF NEWBVRGH. 

(lence (the old homestead of his father) was the cradle of Methodism in Newburgh.* He 
was born in the year 1757, and died Jan. 22, 1830. By his first wife, Rebecca Gidney, he 
liad : 1. Piirdy ; 2. Mary, married George Wandell ; 3. Charlotte. By his second wife, 
Mary Clapp, lie had ; 4. Henry ; 5. Rebecca, married George Grove ; 6. Electa, married 
Dr. James Smith ; 7. Samuel; 8. Charlotte, married Henry Cox. Purdy (1) married Char- 
lotte Tooker, and had six children ; Henry (4) married Eliza Ann Thorne and had one 
child. Samuel (7) married Susan Phillips. 

(2) Isaac married Margaret Theall, and had Isaac, Jr., who married 
Glorianna, daughter of Caleb Merritt, and sister of Ehzabeth, wife of 
Doct. David Fowler. The children of Isaac, Jr., and Griorianna were: 
1. Caleb, born Feb. 8, 1775, died March 8, 1826; 2. Martha; 3. Doct. 
Charles; 4. Gilbert; 5. Nehemiah; 6. David; 7. Doct. Francis; 8. Doct. 
Isaac. Caleb (1) married Catharine Sebring, a granddaughter of Isaac 
Sebring and Catharine Van Benschoten, and had: 1. Peter V. B., mar- 
ried Eliza DuBois, died April 21, 1875, in his 76th year; 2. Caroline, 
married James E. Slater; 3. Dr. Gilbert S., born April 11, 1804, died 
AprU 30, 1832; 4. Ann Catharine, born 1806, died 1833; 5. Amelia, 
married Wm. D. Weygant, died Dec. 30, 1834; 6. Martha B., died in 
infancy; 7. Margaret, died young; 8. Matthew V. B., married Eliza- 
beth F. Seymour; 9. Jacob V. B., deceased, married first, Susan Jane 
Brinckerhofi", and second, a daughter of John Currie; 10. Elizabeth, 
born 1819, died 1836; 11. Isaac Sebring, married Mary L. Powell. 
The members of this branch of the family have for many years been 
among the most substantial citizens of the town, and distinguished 
alike for their public and private worth. 

It has not been possible to obtain the descendants of John (3), 
James (4), and Nehemiah (5), brothers of Samuel (1) and Isaac (2), 
nor the descendants of the brothers of Caleb, the son of Isaac, Jr. 
It may be mentioned, however, that Doct. Charles, the third son of 
Isaac, Jr., was tor many years a physician of high reputation in the 
the town of Montgomery, where he left descendants. 

Jeremiah (2), son of William of Flushing, died at Kye, Westches- 
ter county, in 1766. He left a son David (born 1728, died 1806,) who 
had David, Jr., born Dec. 28, 1 755, died Oct. 20, 1835. 

David Fo^vLEn, Jr., better known as Doct. David, was born at Oom Pond, Westches- 
ter county. He received a liberal education, and was engaged in completing the studies 
of his profession, in the city of New York, when the war of. the Revolution broke out. 
After the British obtained possession of the city, he accepted the appointment of surgeon 
in the second regiment of loyalists, and served during the continuance of the struggle. 
Soon after the war closed he removed to Newburgh where he settled upon lands composing 
part of the farm, and built the house now occupied by David E. Fowler, on the road lead- 
ing from Newburgh to Marlborough. Here he continued to reside until about 1828, when 
he removed to the village of Newburgh. He was an earnest supporter of St. George's 
church, and served in its Vestry several years ; enjoyed a very considerable reputation as 
a skillful physician, and had an extensive practice ; while in his social intercourse his libe- 
ral and expanded views and varied hiformation were so happily blended with great suavity 
and aflfability of manners, hospitality and kindness of heart, as to stamp him a true gen- 

* Ante p. 3257326! ^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



367 



tleman of the old school, and made his society widely courted. Doctor Fowler married 
Elizabeth, daughter of Caleb Merritt, October 9, 1785, and had: 1. James, born Jan. 18, 
1787, died in infancy; 2. Gilbert Ogden, born Dec. 10, 1788, died Dec. 27, 1843; 3. Abigail, 
born Dec. 27, 1789, married Samuel Sands Seymour, died May 5, 1817; 4. Hannah, born 
May 11, 1791, died March 20, 1792; 5. Martha Elizabeth, born December 11, 1792, married 
Joseph Carpenter, of New Windsor, May 22, 1810, died May 10, 18.54. 

Gilbert Ooden Fowlee, the second son of 
Doct. David, graduated mth honor at Columbia 
College, and subsequently pursued the study of 
law at Newburgh, with Solomon Sleight. He 
was licensed to practice in 1810; appointed Mas- 
ter in Chancery in 1816; Judge of Orange Com- 
mon Pleas in 1828, and First Judge of that Court 
(in place of Samuel S. Seward,) in 1833. In the 
autumn of 1833, he was elected to the legislature, 
and as a member of that body was instrumental ^^ 
in securing the passage of the charter of the ^Jj 
Highland Bank, and also of the Delaware audi 
Hudson Railroad. He was elected president ofl 
the Highland Bank, on the organization of that/ 
institution, and occupied that position until his^ 
death. He also held several important military 
commissions; was aid-de-camp to Gen. Leonard 
Smith in 1813: quarter-master of 34th brigade in 
1815 ; aid-de-camp to the major-general of the 
second division of infantry in 1816; brig- 
ade major and inspector in 1818; briga- 
dier-general 34th brigade in 1826 (elected 
in 1825); and major-general of 5th brig- 
ade in 1827. The Highland Courier, of 
Dec. 30, contained the following para- 
graph in reference to his death: "Genl. 
Fowler had been somewhat unwell for several days, but was not considered seriously sick, 
and was sitting up and conversing cheerfully until abou(»an hour previous to his death — 
Genl. Fowler has been for many years a citizen of Newburgh, and has occupied many 
stations of trust and responsibility. He was equally respected and esteemed in private 
life, and his death leaves a wide blank in the social circle in this village." Genl. Fowler 
married Rachel Ann, daughter of James and Ann Walker, of the city of New York, Dec. 
21, 1812, and left issue: 1. Ann, married Leonard D. NicoU, has two sons, Gilbert O. F., and 
Edward; 2. David E., married Jane Ann, daughter of Chancey Belknap, has Isaac W., 
Chancey B., Edward, and Annie; 3. Isaac Vanderbeck, died Sept. 28, 1869, unmarried; 4. 
James Walker, married Mary Frances Brown, of New York, had Frederic Culbert, died 
Jan. 7, 1870, and Frances EHzabeth; 5. Ehzabeth, unmarried. 




THE PURDY FAMILY. 

This family are the descendants of Francis Purdy, of Yorkshii-e, 
Eng^., who removed to Fairfiekl, Conn., where he died in 1658, leav- 
ing two sons, Francis and Joseph, who were born in Yorkshire, and 
who held commissions from the crown as surveyors. Francis, Jr., left 
Joseph, the father of David, the father of David and Nathan Purdy, 
who settled in Newbui-gh prior to 1763. Joseph, the second son of 
Francis of Fairfield, married Elizabeth Ogden and had: 1. Samuel; 
2. John; 8. Francis; 4. Daniel; 5. Joseph. 

(1) Samuel married Charlotte Strang and had: 1. Glorianna, mar- 



3G8 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



ried George Merritt, Senr.;* 2. Samuel, married Winifred Griffing 
and had Samuel, Henry, Jacob, Gabriel, and Lavina wlio married 
Captain Eleazer Gidney; 3. Caleb, married Hannah Brown and had 
Caleb, Samuel, Josiah, Andrew, Nehemiah, Sylvanus, Elias, Caroline, 
Hannah, Lavina, and Anna; 4. Gabriel, married Bethia Miller and had 
James, Gabriel, Anthony, Glorianna, Lewis, Henry, and Betliia; 5. 
Charlotte, married Samuel Fowler, Senr. ;f 6. Henry, married Mary 
Foster, granddaughter of Major Paulding, and had Elizabeth, Wil- 
liam, Anna, Henry, and Samuel who was born in Yorktown, 1751, 
died in Newburgh, 1836, married Charlotte, daughter of Abel Flew- 
weUing, and had Henry, Abigail, Elizabeth, Mary, Anna, Esther, Mar- 
tha, and Abel Guilford; 7. Elizabeth, married Josiah Fowler and had 
Glorianna, Gabriel, Esther, and Martha; 8. Josiah, married Charity 
Wetmore and had Seth, Alathea, Anna, and Esther. 

(2) John had three sons, Elisha, Joseph, and Nathaniel. 

(3) Francis had a son David, and three daughters, viz: Abigail, 
who married Nehemiah Fowler; Elizabeth, who married Arthur Smith; 
and Martha, who married Caleb Merritt. He died in Newburgh, June 
2, 17G0, aged 63 years. 

(4) David had Isaiah, Nathan, David, Gilbert, Samuel, Josiah, Martha 
who married Daniel Denton, and Lavina who married Robert Denton. 



/ 



THE BIKDSALL FAMILY. 

Benjamin and Daniel Birdsall Avere brothers, and removed from 
Long Island to Newburgh sometime about 1768. They were inti- 
mately associated with the early history of the town, and their names 
frequently occur in the pages of this work. Benjamin married Mary, 
daughter of Daniel Tooker,| and had: 1. Margaret, m. John Salmon, 
Sept. 2, 1785; 2. Samuel; 3. Martha, m. Capt. Edmund Griswold, 
Feb. 2, 1792; 4. Hannah, m. first, David Sinsabaugh, and second, 
Jonathan D. Ferris; 5. Charles, m. Amelia Belknap, May 2, 1802; 6. 
Mary, m. Gilbert Cooper; 7. Corneha, m. Capt. ApoUos HoweU; 8. 
Asa, lost at soa; 9. Benjamin. Daniel married Tamar, daughter of 
Capt. Joseph Coleman, § and had: 1. Hannah, m. Isaac Hasbrouck; 2. 
Mercy, m. first, Col. Thomas Palmer, distinguished in local Ecvolu- 
tionary history, || and second, Jolm Boice, grandfather of the late 

* See sketch of Merritt family. -f See nketch of Fowler family. 

i The Tooker family were the descendants of Charles Tooker, who came from Long Island 
with the Bird.salls, and who had : 1. Reuben, married Martha, daughter of Saml. Fowler, 
Senr.; 2. Daniel; 3. Mary, married Benjamin Birdsall; 4. Hannah, married Col. Leonard 
Smith; 5. Martha, married Isaac Fowler, Jr.; 6. Ruth, married Genl. Nathaniel DuBois. 

§ Joseph Coleman (;amc from Nantucket in 1774. His children, by his wife Eunice, were: 
Tamar, married Daniel Birdsall ; Janet, married a Mr. Watts ; EUzabeth, married Isaac 
Belknap ; Polly, married Chancey Griswold. (Ante p. 171. ) 

II Col. Palmer was a member of the Provincial Convention of N. Y. 1775-76 ; member 
of Assembly 1779-'80 ; Senator 1782-'84 ; colonel of Mmute Men ; chairman of Committee 
ot Safety, etc. (Ante p. 135, 141, 171.) 



BWGEAPHICAL SKETCHES. 369 



Daniel B. Boice; 3. Cynthia, m. a Phillips of Low Point; 4. Samuel; 
5. William; 6. Daniel. The grandchildren of Benjamin, through his 
son Charles (5), were: Helen Maria, m. Odell S. Hathaway; Harriet 
Amelia, d. unmarried ; Deborah Ann, m. Hiram Falls ;* Mary, m. Chas. 
U. Cushman; Adeline Ferris, d. unmarried; Lydia Riggs, m. William 
E. Warren. The resident descendants of Daniel, through Hannah (1) 
are the children of the late Eli Hasbrouck. , 



THE HASBROUCK FAMILY. 

The Hasbrouck, or Hasbrou*;, family is of French origin — Abraham 
and Jean, or John, the first who bore the name in this country, were 
natives of Calais, France. Long before the revocation of the Edict 
of Nantes, their father had suftered so much from religious persecu- 
tion that he removed, with his two sons and a daughter, to Germany. 
In 1673, Jolm came to America; and in 1675, Abraham followed him, 
leaving his father with his daughter, who had mamed one Pierre 
Hayaar. In a diaiy kept by Abraham Hasbrouck, f the grandson of 
Abraham the brother of John, it is stated that Abraham, with several 
of his acquaintances and other followers of Peter Waldus, went from 
the Palatinate to " Rotterdam, and from thence to Amsterdam, where 
they embarked for England, April, 1675. From England they sailed 
to America, and arrived at the town of Boston; from Boston they 
sailed to New York and from New York to Esopus, in Ulster county, 
and arrived there July, 1675." Abraham found at Esopus his brother 
" Jean, who had gone to America two years before him, and likewise 
several acquaintances." He married, in 1676, " a young woman named 
Maria Duyouij; (Deyo) the daughter of Christian Duyou, with whom he 
had been acquainted in the Palatinate, and who was one of the passen- 
gers with him to America." Having detei*mined to settle in the Esopus 
country, Hasbrouck and his associates selected a tract of land to which 
they gave the name of the New Paltz and appointed twelve of their 
number to extinguish the Indian title and to procure a patent. The 

* Alexander Falls, the ancestor of the Falls family, carae from Ireland sometime about 
17^5, and settled in the present town of New Windsor. He had three sous, Samuel, Ed- 
ward, and George— of whom Edward had two .sons, Alexander and George. Alexander 
was a merchant in Newburgh at the opening of the present centiu-y, and was the father 
of William H., George, Edward, Hiram, and Alexander Falls, all of whom were residents 
of Newburgh and more or less identified with its mercantile and commercial interests for 
nearly three-quarters of a century. 

t Ante p. 20. Abraham Hasbrouck was horn Aug. 21, 1707. died Nov. 10, 1791. He 
married. July 5, 1738, Catharine Briiyn, born June 21, 1720, died August 10, 1793. Ho re- 
moved to Kingston in 173.5, where he commenced mercantile business. He was a member 
of ♦he Colonial Assembly from 1739 to 1745, 1748 to 1750, 1759 to 1778 ; was commissioned 
Colonel of the Ulster militia in 1757 ; occupied a leading position in the political history of 
his time, and took an active part in the movements of the patriots of the Revolution. His 
wife, Catharine Bruyn, was the daughter of Jacobus Bruyn. She was of Norwegian ex- 
traction—her grandfather on her father's side having been a native of Norway, and settled 
in the Esopus while the province was in the possession of the Dutch. 

t So spelled in the MSS. diary. Doyonx is probably the original French. It is now 
written Deyo, in this country. 

024 



370 HISTOBY OF NEWBURGU. 



first was accomplished Avitliout. difficulty, and in 1677, Gov. Andros 
issued the patent. Tlie twelve associates were chosen to act in behalf 
of the company not only in obtaining the land, but in managing- the 
civil aliairs of the community. ^\.t theii- head stood Abraham Has- 
brouck. The next step was the organization of a religious congre- 
gation, which they called the Walloon Protestant Church, after the 
"manner and discipline of the church at Geneva, according to the 
tenets of John Calvin." 

This brief sketch of the Hasbrouck family iis necessarily confined 
to the gene.'dog}^ of the branches that settled in Newlnirgh. Abra- 
ham Hasbrouck, the patentee, died March 7, 1717, in an apoplectic 
fit. His \^^fe, Maria, died March 27, 1741, in her 88th year. His 
surviving children Avere: 1. Joseph; 2. Solomon; 3. Daniel; 4:. Benja- 
min; 5. Rachel, who married Louis DuBois, 1701 — of whom 

(1) Joseph married Elsie Schoonmaker in 1706. He died Jan. 28, 
1724, aged 40 years and 8 months; and his Avife died July 27, 1764, 
aged 78 yeai-s, 8 months, 8 days. " He was," says the diary hereto- 
fore quoted, " a gentleman nuich respected by those with whom lie 
was acquainted, and he served in several public stations in Ulster 
county. He Avas very affable and agreeable in company, eloquent in 
speech, spoke French-Dutch and very tolerable English. He was of 
middle stsltiu*e, of fine pliysiognomy, black curled haii', fail- skin, with 
a bloozing color, and dark blue eyes." He left ten children — six sons 
and four daughters — of whom 

Jonathan was born April 12tli, 1722; died July 31st, 1780. lie married, May, 1751, 
Tryntje (Catharine) daughter of Cornelius DulJois, and left him surviviuf; three sons and 
two daughters, viz : 1. Cornelius, who espoused the cause of the Kiui,', after the deelara- 
tiou of independence, and removed to Canada; 2. Isaac; 3. Jonathan, who died unmar- 
ried ; 4. Rachel, who married Daniel Hasbrouck, son of Abraham (1), and 5. Mary. He 
removed to NewbnrKli soon after his niarri;i, :,'(•, having jmrchased (1747) the property and 
erected thereon (1750) part of the building now known as Washington's head-quarters, 
where he continued to reside (subseqiiently completing the building in its px-esent shape) 
during the remainder of his life. He was the first supervisor of the precinct (1763), and 
held other local othces. "He bore several commissions in his life time— first an Ensign's 
then a Captain's, and afterwards a Colonel's commission, which latter he received Oct. 25, 
1775." His regiment was often called out, but from his ill-health was commanded much 
of the time by Lieutenant-colonel Johannes Hardenburgh, Jr.. and it was under him at the 
time of its particijiation in the defence of Forts CUnton and ^Montgomery in 1777.* In con- 
seiiuence of continued ill-health he resigned his connuissicm in 1778. His death proceeded 
from an aggravated form of gravel. The MSS. diary of Ids brother Abrahatn, heretofore 
ipioted, sui)plies the following description of his person and character : "He was a loving 
husband to his wife, a tender and loving father towards his children, a loving brother to 
his brothers and sisters, an obedient and dntiful child to his parents, a kind master to his 
servants, a got)d neighbor, a hospitable man, a good, industrious, sober man, and a very 
good liver, and a very good conunonwealth's-man (whig). He was a pious worthy man, 
paid a good deal of reverence in hearing and reading the word of God. He was good na- 
tured. not soon ruffled or i)ut in a passion, but with a great deal of forbearance. He had 
very good sense, and strong natural parts and undcrstanding-especially in divinity, and 

*Aute p. 88, 89, 141, etc^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 371 



very knowinj? in common affairs of life. He was a man of stature al)ove six foc^t niul four 
inches, well shaped and proportioned of body, good features, full visage of face, liut of 
brown complexion, dark blue eyes, black hair with a shght curl, strong of body, arms, 
legs ; was inclined to be corpulent and fat in his younger days, but meeting so many sick- 
nesses and disorders he was not so fat the last thirty ye.ars of his life as he was in his 
youth. He had a great many good qualities that I don't write down here. He died on 
Monday morning and was buried on Tuesday in the burying place on his own land, between 
his house and the North River, lying along side two of his sons who lay buried in the 
same ground." 

The descendants of Colonel Hasbrouck now residing in Newburgh are through his son 
Isaac (2), who was born Sefj^t. 2.3, 1761; died Aug. 21, 1806. He married (1784) Hannali 
daughter of Daniel Birdsall, who died Dec. 27, 1807, aged 45 years. His children were : 
1. Jonathan, who occupied for many years the head-quarters homestead ; 2. Sarah, who 
married Hon. Walter Case; 3. Israel, died unmarried; 4. Eli, who married first, Harriet, 
daughter of Joseph Belknaj) (ante p. 358) ; 5. Rachel; 6. Mary. The children of Eli (4) 
were: 1. Israel ; 2. Charles H., married Helen, daughter of John Carrie ; 3. James B., now 
of New Windsor; 4. Sarah, married Daniel B. Boice; 5. Eli, Jr., married Susan R. Bill; 
6. Mary ; 7. Alice, married Sanuiel W. Miller. 

(2) Benjamin married Elsie Schoonmaker and left three sons, viz: 
1. Benjamin; 2. Cornelius; 3. Joseph. Cornelius (2) married Jane 
Kelso in 1799. He left two sons: 1. Willijim C, and 2. Benjamin C, 
and one daughter, 8. Margaret, who maiTied Captain Eli Perry (for 
several years in command of the steamer James Madison )^ — ^of whom 

William C. (1), was born Aug. 23, 1800; married Mary E. daughter of William Roe, 
June 28, 1831 ; died Nov. 1870; had three sons, viz: William H., Henry C, and Roe, and 
three daughters: Maria H., Emily A., and Blandina. He gradviated at Union College at 
the same time William H. Seward was an undergraduate, and soon after removed to Frank- 
lin, Tenn., where he became principal of the Academy founded by Bishop Otey. Among 
his pupils and friends there were many then and since distinguished in the history of the 
nation, among whom were John Bell, Sam. Houston, Felix Grundy, Andrew Jackson, and 
Matthew F. Maury. Returning to the North, he became principal of the Farmers' Hall 
Academy, at Goshen, in 1822 ; and commenced there the study of law with Mr. Wisner. 
He completed his legal studies with William Ross, in Newburgh ; was admitted to the bar 
in 1826, and rose rapidly to rank in his profession. He was frequently the candidate of 
his party for i)olitical honors ; but, his party being in th(! minority in the district, he was 
without success. He was, however, elected to the Assembly of 1847, and was chosen 
Speaker of that body. He was a man of higli bearing, spotless character, and a chivah-ic 
sense of honor and duty : few men enjoyed a morii unblemished reputation, both at liome 
and abroad. In person he was tall and slender, of attractive presence, and courteous 
manners ; liberal in his charities ; American in every aspiration of his nature. 

Mr. Hasbrouck's oldest son, WilHam H., is a practicing lawyer. His second son, Henry 
C, , graduat<^d at the West Point Military Academy, May, 1861 ; served as Lieutenant under 
Captain Griffin, 5th Artillery, U. S. A., in first Bull Run, also at Miner's Hill and Newport 
News ; promoted Captain 4th Artillery, ahd in service in the Modoc campaign. Roe, his 
third son, graduated at Harvard College in 1876. 



THE ROE FAMILY. 

The Roe family of Newburgh are the descendants of John Roe, 
born 1628, emigrated from Ireland in 1641, died in 1711, and his 
wife, Hannah Purrer, an emigrant from England. He settled at 
■'Brookhaven, L. I., in 1(555. Of his childi'en, Nathaniel married 
Hannah Reeve, and had five children, viz: 1. Nathaniel; 2. John; 8. 
Elizabeth; 4. Hannah; 5. Deborah. Nathaniel (1) married Elizabeth 



372 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 

Phillips,* and had eight children, viz: 1. Phillips; 2. James; 3. Eliz- 
abeth; 4. William; 5. Hannah; 6. Elizabeth; 7. Sarah; 8. Deborah — 
of -whom James (2) married EHzabeth Eltinf^.f of Esopus, Ulster 
county, Oct. 19, 1770, and had: 1. James; 2. Elizabeth; 3. John E.; 
4. Sylvester; 5. Ann; 6. William; 7. Nathaniel; 8. Kachel; 9. Peter- 
all of whom were bom in Kingston. He removed to Cornwall, 
Orange county, after the Eevolution, where he married, second, the 
widow of Comfort Sands, and died there in 1815. Of his cliildren 
by his first wife — 

AVilliam (0), born May 11, 1781, died in Newburgh in 18fi8, married 
Maria, daughter of Thomas Hazard, of New York, and had: 1. Thomas 
Hazard; 2. Mary Elizabeth, mai-ried William C. Hasbrouck; 3. William 
James, mai-ried Anna Lawrence Clark; 4. Emily Maria. Early in life 
he went to New York where he was employed as a clerk by John 
Jacob Astor, and in that capacity made a voyage to Canton in one of 
Astor's vessels in foreign trade. Subseqiiently he became a wholesale 
grocer and importer, from which he retired \Yitii an ample fortune. 
He removed to NcAvburgh in 182(5, but engaged in no other business 
here than that of president of the Newburgh AMiaHng company. 

Peter (9), born Sept. 14, 1789, settled in New Windsor, where he 
married Susan, daughter of Jonas Williams,! ^^^ had: 1. Oswald W., 
died young; 2. Alfred C. ; 3. James G. ; 4. Susan E. ; 5. Wilham W. ; 
6. Peter; 7. Edward P.; 8. Mary Abigail. His sons, Rev. Alfred C. 
(2), and Rev. Edward P. (7), have more than a local reputation, the 
latter thi'ough his popular works, "Banners Biimed Away," " Opening 
of a Chestnut Burr," etc. He acquired in political circles, the repu- 
tation of the lii-st " abolitionist " in the county of Orange. 

A second Orange county branch of the family are the descendants 
of William (4), son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Pliillips) Roe, Avho 
married IMary Van Duzer, of Cornwall, and whose sister Elizabeth, 
maiTied Thomas Coleman of the same town. He became a resident 
of Cornwall after his marriage; was an active member of the Presby- 
terian cluu-ch at Betlilehem, and was a captain in the continental ser- 
vice in the army of the Revolution. (Ante p. 279.) He subsequently 
removed to Danby, Tompkins county, N. Y. 



* Dausrhfor of Rev. George riiillips. h<irn at Rowlev. IMas^s.. 1(!64; died at Setauket. L. 
I., 1739. He was a Rradnatc at Harvard in l(VS»i; was uiinistev at Setauket in 1697, and 
eontimied \uitil his death in 17:^!). He was tlie son of Rev. Samuel Phillips, of Rowlev, 
and Ljrandson of Rev. George Phillips, of Boxwortli, England, and afterwards tirst minis- 
ter of Watertown, Mass., havint; arrived with Governor Winthrop, in 1830. 

t Panghter of John Elting and his wife. Miss WhitaUer. I\[r. Eltiiig afterwards married 
a sister of Vo\. Abraham Hasbrouek, of Kingston, and had one daughter, who married 
Sylvester Salisbury. 

t Jo'ias Williams was born on Long Island. He removed to Cornwall, during the Revo- 
lution, where lie married Abigail, daughter of Samuel Brewster, who had settled on the 
Mooaiia in Ho.'") and established a saw-mill, and a forge and anehor shop. His son, Samuel 
>\ ilhams, was a merchant in Newburgh. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 373 



A third branch are the descendants of Jolm Eoe, who is presumed 
to have been a grandson of the first John. He settled in the precinct 
of Goshen prior to the Revolution, and had sons Nathaniel and Wil- 
liani, the former a captain of militia under its first organization, and 
of local distinction in other respects. Sylvester Roe, the first painter 
in Newburgh of record, was of this stock, and also Jefferson Roe. 



WOLVERT ACKER, OR ECKER. 

Wolvert Acker, or Ecker,* was the great-grandson of Jan Ecker, 
one of the early Dutch settlers of Greenbiu'gh, Westchester county, 
and was born there Jan. 17, 1132. f He j^urchased, in 1772, the ex- 
treme northern part of the Harrison patent, and soon after removed 
to Newbiu'gh, where he continued to reside until his death, which 
occurred on the 17th Jan. 1799, at the age of 67 years. | 

Mr. Et'KEK was a iiiaii of {;5euerous heart and patriotic impulses. He entered warmly 
into the struggle for Independence ; contributed freely his time and his money to the 
cause, and from first to last was one of the most reliable men in the precinct. He was 
appointed chairman of the tlommittee of Safety for the precinct, in 1775, and took espe- 
cially under his cognizance the northern part of the town, where a strong feeling existed 
in favor of the Crown. His house soon became a favorite resort for tlie whigs in that sec- 
tion of the country, and especially would they gather there on the Sabbath to learn the 
progress of events. On such occasions he would wait until a fair audience had assembled, 
and, after reading a chapter from his old Dutch Bible, would detail all the intelligence he 
had received ; the Neitj York Packet, the whig paper of the day, was also read, and the 
aflairs of the country discussed. In this manner he continually strengthened the hands 
and hearts of the friends of Liberty during the whole war. The tories he hatted intensely; 
watched their movements with untiring zeal, and punished many of them for their depre- 
dations. After the war he engaged in milling, and in the manufacture of brick. He es- 
tablished the landing on the Hudson now known as Hampton, and also a ferry between 
that place and Wappinger's Falls. His death was occasioned by a cancer on the face, 
from which he suffered for several years. 

Mr. Ecker was married twice. His first wife died without issue; 
liis second was Sarali, daughter of William Pugsley, of Westchester 
county, by whom he had: 

(1) Isaac died unmarried. 

* It is so written in the early records of Westchester county, and by his son, Capt. Wm. 
Ecker. In the previous part of this work the name has been given Aeker, as it is usually 
so spelled in the records. The name was probably Acker, and the change in the orthog- 
rapliy evidently had its origin in the fact that the accented A has the sound of E, in Ger- 
man.' Wol/ert and Woltert are both used, as in the German v has the sound of our/. 

t Bolton, in his Histoi-y of Westchester County, has the following reference to the Ecker 
family, and to the homestead originally held by them but subsequently by Washington 
Irving, and known as Sunny Side, viz : " Van Tassel house occupies the "site of ' Wolfert's 
Roost,' which was built by VVolfert Ecker, an ancient Dutch burgher of this town (Green- 
burgh). In 1697, we find recorded the name of Jan Ecker, first accepted deacon of the 
Dutch church, Sleepy Hollow, which office he appears to have held for several years. By 
his wife, Magdalentje, he left issue Wolfert, Coruehs, and others. The will of Wolfert 
Ecker bears date 1753, wherein he bequeaths to his 'stm, Stephen, a cow, or the worth 
thereof, more than the others, for his birth-right,' and to his grandson, Wolfert Ecker, 
twenty shillings, besides other bequests." Irving, in his Wolfert's Itoost, has immortal- 
ized both the homestead and the name of its ancient proprietor. 

I Inscription on the monument in the burial ground at Marlborough : " In memory of 
Wolvert Ecker, who died Jan. 17, 1779, aged 67 years. ' A man of sorrows and acquaint- 
ed with grief.' " 



374 HISTORY OF NEWBUROH. 

(2) Susan married first, Jos. Williams, and had Wolvert A., James, 
and Clementine; and second, Leonard Smith, and had William, who 
was drowned in the disaster to the sloop Neptune in 1824. 

{',]) Deborah married Doct. John Pinckney, of Duchess county, a 
branch of the South Carolina stock of that name, and had Isaac, 
Cju-oliue, Hai-riet, Edwju'd, Julia, Theodore, tuid Deborah. 

(4) William mai'ried Sarah Badger, of Poughkeepsie, and had 
Theodore M., Clai-a, Phebe, Susan, William, Belinda, Harriet, Charles, 
Oeorge and Sarah. He was a man justly esteemed for many virtues; 
held several military commissions; served in the war of 1812, and 
died while a member of the legislature in 1827, in his 48th year. 
The following is the record of his children: 

Theodore M., manied Harriet F. Brownson, daughter of Hon. Wni. A. Thompson, of 
Tlionipsoii, SuUivan county, and died in 183(), at St. Louis, leaving one daughter, Augusta 
T. Eelcer, who married Rev. Dunean C. Niven. William married in Georgia and died 
tliere, leaving three sons, Wolvert. Edward Badger, and Robert. Belinda married I'hiliji 
J. rarteiiheiuier. of Ithaea. Harriet resides in San Franeiseo, where she was mairied 
first to Wni. M. l^dily, formerly of Now York, and second to George Hawks. George is a 
jeweler in San Francisco. Charles resides in San Francisco. Sarah, the yonugest, mar- 
ried a Mr. Harvey of San Francisco, and resides there. 

(5) Phebe married Hon. John P. Jones, of Sullivan county, and 
had Sanuiel, died in childhood, ^^'illiam, Perthenia, INIary, Henrietta, 
and Phebe. She died April 2, 1840.* 

(G) Sarah married James Lockwood of Norwalk, Comi., and had 
Catharine ¥., Han-iet C, William E., Emma C, Helen M. (nuu-ried 
Alex. Bell), Morris W., and John E. 



THE PENNY FAMILY. 

Joseph Penny was born in '\^'ales, Eug. The time of his emigra- 
tion to this country is not known. His occupation was that of school- 
master, in Avliich capacity he was employed by the trustees of the 
Glebe prior to the Revolution;! he has also local reputation through 
a recipe for the cure of hydrophobia. | He pvu'chased the Wtillace 
patent, where he settled his sons, ^^^illiam, John, James, Peter, Joseph, 
Robinson, ADen, and Isaac. His oldest daughter married Daniel 
Everett, of Ulster comity; his second daughter, PoUy, married James, 
son of Robert Ross; Betsey married WiUiam Wilson, and Nelly died 
unmarried. \\'illium, the oldest son of Joseph Penny, was born i\Iay 
21), 1759, and died Dec. 7, 18;}2. His wife, Hannah, was born June 
20, 17(51, and died Jan. 20, 1833. His son, WiUiam, died Jan. 31, 
1840, aged ()0 yeai-s, 2 months, and 17 days; tuid liis ^Aife, Mercy, died 
Nov. 4, 1857, aged (it! yeju's. Descendants of Joseph Penny are now 
residents of Newbui-gh, CornwiiQ, Deerpark, etc. 

* Sec Quinlan's History of Sullivan County, 552. + Ante p. 128, 338. 

i This recipe was engraved and copyrighted by Mr. Penny's heirs, some years ago. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 37^ 



JOHN NATHAN HUTCHINS. 

Ill addition to tlie facts already stated in the pag'es of this work,* 
ill reference to the old teacher of the (Hebe school, John Nathan 
Hutchins, the following- obituary notice from the New York Packet of 
July 18, 178!2, can only be added, viz: 

"Died — On Monday, 8tli inst., in the oifjlity-seoond year of his age, af'ler a sliort illness, 
greatly lamented, that reputable and useful citizen, noted mathematician and asti'ononier, 
Mr. John Nathan Hutchins. He was a person of excellent nnderstanding, facetious and 
cheerful in his temper, charitable to the poor, a faithful husband and au obliging neighbor. 
He lived a pious and exemplaiy lifi^ ; and as he lived, lie died a sincere Obristian ; and has 
left his aged consort, who with his nuuK^rous acquaintances, regret \m loss. His remains 
were decently interred in Newburgh the day following his death." 



THE INNIS FAMILY. 

James Innis was brou<^ht to this country from Ireland, while an 
infant, about the year 1737. His mother and her sisters settled in 
Little Britain, where he received an education in the ordinary English 
branches, from George and James Clinton. He married Sybil Ross, 
of Morristown, N. J., and settled in Newburgh in 1780. His children 
were: 1. James; 2. Jane; 3. Keziah; 4. Lydia; 5. Peter; 6. Benjamin; 
7. Elsie; 8. Sarah; J). William; 10. Aaron. James (1) died unmarried. 
He was a soldier in the army of the Revolution, and was in the battle 
of Monmouth. Jane (2) married WiUiam Irwin and removed to Ohio. 
Keziali (3) married James Owen. Lydia (4) married Moses Hanmore. 
Peter (5) died unmarried. Benjamin (6) manied Margaret Denton. 
Elsie (7) married Thomas Aldrich. Sarah (8) married Anthony 
Presler. Aaron (10) married Ruth, daughter of Luff Smith. William 
(9) married Elizabeth, f daughter of James Warring, and had: SaUy, 
married Isaac Denniston; Ross, married Catharine Cook; Rebecca, 
married Richard Ward, Jr.; Wygant; William, Jr., married Catharine 
Jessup; Aaron, married Phebe Ann Warring. 



THE REEVE FAMIEY. 

"The first of the family of the name of Reeve came to America 
from Wales, not far fi-om KJGO, and settled at Mattituck, L. I. Tra- 
dition says there were two brothers; their names Thomas and James. 
James, the progenitor of the Newburgh family, died at Mattituck in 
1739, aged 60 years. His children were: 1. James; 2. Selah; 3. Isaac; 
4. Nathaniel; 5. Ebenezer."| Selah (2) settled on a farm near the 
old homestead. When the British obtained possession of Long- 
Island they endeavored to enlist the inhabitants in favor of the kinff 
by offering them the oath of allegiance, accompanied with the assu- 

* Ante p. 179, 338. 

+ Mrs. Innis was killed by being accidentally thrown from a wagon, Jan. 18, 1840. 

X Griffin's Journal. First Bettlcrs of Mattituck. L. I., &c., by Augustus Griffin, 



370 HISTORY OF NEWBunarr. 

ranee that if they would accept it they should not only be exempt 

from molestation, but supplies for the troops would be puri'hased 

Ironi tht^m and paid for in ^old. If the oath was rejected, however, 

the troops would seize whatever they miji^ht require. To secure ease 

and peace, many of the settlers embraced the terms oifered; but there 

were those who esteemed the cause in which they were engaoed too 

sacred to be bfU'tered away thus lijjlitly, and who refused the proffered 

terms. Selah Keeve was among the latter class. The British officers 

gave him thn^e weeks in which to reconsider his determination, and 

intimated thai if, at the expiration of that time, he still refused the 

oath, they would take possession of his property. During the interval 

granted, Mr. Reeve gathered together a small sum of money, obtained 

a lisliing scow, and placed on boju'd some provisions and clothing, and 

informed his family that they must he in readiness to leave their home 

at any moment; that when the officers made their next appejwance, ho 

should embiu-k and escape. Prompt to their appointment, the officers 

returned at the expiration of the time which they had fixed; but Mr. 

Eeove discovered their approach in time to make his escape, reaching 

his vessel and casting t)li" from the shore just as the officers had passed 

through the house and emerged from the back door. Waving his 

hand to his baffied pursuers. Reeve steered for the Connecticut shore, 

where he landed, juid subsequently purchased an inland fju-m in that 

state, where he settled. After tlie wai', he puri'hased (1784) a fju'm 

situated about three miles north of the then village of Newbiu'gh, tt) 

which he removed soon after. He died Feb. 21, 17i)(), in his 55th 

yeai', Jind his wLte died Jan '21, 1820, aged 84 yeai*s. His sons were: 

1. Selali; 2. James; 8. Jost^ph. 

Sei.ah Ref.vk (1) was first engaged iu the milling business at Hunting-Grove (now Bus- 
kirk's mills), on the Otterkill, in the town of New Windaor, sometime about the year 1798 

or '99. After a few 
years he returned 
to Newbiirjih and 
began the making 
of brown earthen 
ware — a new busi- 
ness at that time, 
and an article of 

manufacture in great ileiuaml. Mr. Burling was subseiiuently associated with him in this 
business, wliicli was couiluctcil on the east side of Smith street near South, and iu con- 
nection with it they opened a crockery, glass, and eai-tlien-ware store. He afterwards 
ontered into tl»t> mercantile and forwarding business, associated with William H. Falls, as 
the successor of Jacob and Tliomas Powell. Ht> died April 11, 1837, a few years after he 
had retired friuu business. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Christopher and Julia 
(Tusten*) Van Diizer of Ncwburgh, in 179.5, and had: 1. Milliccnt, d. in infancy; 2. Chris- 
topher; 3. Charles F. V.; 4. Julia Ann; f). C.eorge; (i. EUza; 7. Jane; 8. Nathan; 9. Harriet 
M.; 10. Mary E., d. in infancy; 11. Selah. Christopher (2) married Maria Hasbrouck, and 

* Julia Van Duzer was fonnerlv Jidia Tusten, a sister of Lieut. Col. Benjamin Tiisten 
who was killed iu tlio battle ot Miuuisiuk. 




BIOURAPlHrAL SKETCHES. 377 



bad Sclali v., Sarah E., Hasbrouek, and LouiH. He was en^jaged in the nierc-aiitih; and 
foiwanling busiiiewH in N<!w))urf/li for Hcvt-ral yearw, and HuljHequ<;ntly in the- lumber trade 
at Detroit, w)icr(! ln' died in IHiVii. ('liarloH F. V. (8), niairied Adaline Amor, of New 
York; and after h<;r death. Julia Ann Fer^uHon. He wan an importing merchant in 
Cliarleston, K. (.'., for several .years; HubBequently engaged in IjUHineuH with his brother 
('hristophir, in Ncwbiirgh, and in milling and farming at Shawangunli, Ulntf^r county. Ho 
died iu N'ewburgh, Oct. 12, 1875, in hiw 70th year. Julia Ann (4) married Daniel S. 'J'utliill. 
George (5) married Caroline IngerHoli. He continued the mercantile businesn, at the old 
Btand i)f hin, father, until his death in 1853 or '.54. Eliza (fi) married Hon. John W. lirown; 
Hlie died in 1874, leaving two sons, William it. and (Jharles F. Jane (7) married Alexander 
C. MuUiner. Nathan (8) married Mary, daughter of Kelah lleevc Hobbie, of Washington. 
He studied law with Hon. John W. Hrown, and ]jractic,ed his profession in Newbui-gh for 
several years. Harriet M. (9), married Itev. Wui. McLaren. Helah (10), married Lilly 
8now, of Providence, K. L; died in Toledo in 18GC. 

Jamks Uki;vk (2) was a mariner from his youth. He was taken prisoner by the iJritish, 
during the war of 1812, when within two days sail of New York, and caiTi<,d to England 
and confined in Dartmoor prison. He was in thiH pri.son and a participant in the scenes 
enacted there on the 4Mi of July, 1813, and Ajn-il <>th, 1814, as W(;I1 as in all the horrors of 
that most hori'ible jjlace. He es<;aped without uijur}' from the massacre of April (ith, and 
on tlic final release of the prisoners, he returned to Newburgh. Not long after his return, 
however, he was seriously injuretl by the bursting of a lime kiln, and died in the conrHe 
ol a year. He was never married. 

Joseph Ukeve (3) commenced the gold and silversmith business in 1804, and afU^rwards 
added to it the manufai^tnre of whalebone whips, of which he was the patentee. He died 
in Hei)tend)f;r, 1828, after an illness of sev<;ral months, from an injury on the hca<i (caused 
by blows inflicted by two ruHiaiis in the Htreet. His wife waH P^unice Hayre, by whom he 
had: 1. CharleH, married Katuru Wilson ; was tli(^ successor of liis father in the silversmith 
business; 2. Decatur, mar ri<,<l Frances A. Horton ; 3. Anthony D., married a Miss Velt- 
man ; 4. Caroline, married Doct. J. D. Kloan, and left one son, James T. Hloan ; 5. John, 
died unmun'ied. 



WILLIAM SKYMOUn. 

William Seymour was the son of Samuel Seymour, of Greenwi(;li, 
Conn., where he was Ijom April 18, 1758. His first wife was Esther 
Sands, of Lon<:( Island, l>y wliom he had: 1. William, 2. Samuel Sands, 
3. Drake,* and 4. Esther. He married, second, Eliza, dauf^hter of 
Henry PoweU, of Long Island, and had: 5. Margaret, who marritid 
Joseph Kemochan, and 6. Mary Powell, who mairied James S. Abeel, 
of U. S. army. He removed to Newburgh about the year 1790, and 
commenced the mercantile business on the north-west comer of Water 
and Fourth streets, and soon after opened a branch store at Platte- 
kill. He subsequently engaged in shiii-building here, and constnicted, 
firnt, the Liverixjol Pa/;h'l; second, the William Fenn, and third, the 
Ontario. These vessels were among the most successful in the Liver- 
pool trade. The Ontario was of five hundred tons burthen, and was 
the largest ship that sailed from New York at the time of her con- 
struction. He was also largely interested in real estate in Newl)urgh 
and its vicinity, and was active in promoting the interests of the town. 
In 1805, he accidentally fell into the hold of the ship Ontario, and re- 

* Drake Heymour was accidentally shot while on a hunting excursion, June, 1824, 
William resides in Brooklyn. 



378 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 

ceived iiijiiries which rendered him unable to walk during the remain- 
der of his life. This accident obliged him to withdraw from business. 
He died in 1811. It is due to his memory to say, that none of the 
early settlers of the town contributed more to develop its business 
and commercial interests, or was more highly esteemed by his fellow- 
citizens. 



THE WARREN FAMILY. 

The Warrens, who are supposed to be of Norman origin, were 
among the earliest settlers of New England. Richard Warren was 
one of the pilgrims by the Ma}^ Flower, and settled in Plymouth. 
John Warren came to America in 1630, and settled in Watertown, 
Mass. Another John Warren, supposed to have been a brother to 
Richard, settled in Salem in 1630. Peter Wan-en, who was probably 
a son of John of Salem, settled in Salem, and from him Genl. Joseph 
Warren, the patriot of Bunker HiU, was a lineal descendant.* 

The earliest mention of the name in Newburgh occurs in the rec- 
ords of the First Presbyterian chiu'ch, where, under date of July 23, 
1783, the marriage of "John Warren of Mass., and Elizabeth Belknap, 
of Newburgh," is written. In reference to the genealogy of this branch 
of the family it appears that John Warren came to America in 1630, 
and settled in Watertown, Mass. His children were John, Mary, 
Daniel, and Elizabeth, who were probably all born in England. 
Daniel married Mary Barron, Dec. 10, 1650, and had nine children, of 
whom the seventh was John, b. Mai'ch 5th, 1665, and who married 
Mary Brown. He had three children, of whom John (b. March 15, 
1684-5), had two children, viz: Beulah, b. Aug. 23, 1725, married 
John Hobbs, of Brookfield; and Josiah, b. Feb. 17, 1714-15. The 
latter married Hepzibah Hobbs, by whom he had ten children, f 

John Warben, the youngest child of Josiah Warren, was left an orphan during his in- 
fancy, and was taken by his aunt, Beulah, wife of John Hobbs, of Brookfield, where he 
resided until he arrived at the age of nineteen years, when he joined the army of the Revo- 
lution, and participated in its struggles imtil the peace of 1783. He was engaged in several 
of the most imporlant battles of the war, and received particular commendation for his 
bravery at Bunker Hill and at Monmouth, and was subsequently raised to the rank of cap- 
tain. He came with the Massachusetts line to the encampment at New Windsor. While 
here he became acquainted with Miss Belknap, a lady remarkable for her intelligence and 
personal attractions,^ to whom he was married at the date already given. After the dis- 
bandment of the army, lie engaged in business pursuits in Newburgh ; but subsequently re- 
moved to Troy, and afterwards to Saratoga Springs, where he died, Dec. 25, 1823— his wife 
surviving him until June 21, 1837. Their children were : 1. John H., b. 1780. died at Mon- 
tezuma, N. Y., 1823, married Fanny KeUogg, and had one child, Wilham L. F.; 2. Cynthia 
M., b. Aug. 2, 1788, married Miles Beach, of Saratoga Springs ; 3. Stephen R., born Nov. 

* Genealogy of Warren, by J. C. Warren, M. D. t Bond's Genealogies of Watertown. 

i Miss Belknap is said txj have been the partner of Genl. Washington, in the opening set 
of the ball given at the Temple, April, 1783, on the announcement of the exchange of the 
prehmmary articles of peace. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 379 



1790 : 4. William L. F., b. Feb. 4, 1793 ; 5. Elizabeth B., b. 1795, married Doet. R. R. Davis, 
of SyracuKe; 6. Caroline S., b. 1798, married Benjamin Carpenter, of Newburgh ; 7. Mary 
A., b. 1800, married James H. Darrow, of Saratoga Springs. 

William L. F. Warren (4), the son of John H. Warren (1), came to Newburgh early in 
life, and engaged as clerk, with bis uncle, Mr. Carpenter. In 1837, be became a member 
of the firm of B. Carpenter & Co., with which he was associated until its dissolution. He 
filled for several terms, and with marked ability, the post of president of the Board of 
Trustees of the village ; was one of the Board of Water Commissioners, and also of the 
Board of Alms-house Commissioners ; director in the Savings Bank of Newburgh, and in 
the Waiwick Valley Railroad, and iironiinent in other public and private enterprises, earn- 
ing for himself the distinction of one of those rare men upon whom the comnuniity rely 
for protection against Ill-advised and oppressive legislation, rather than that of the politi- 
cal charlatan whose thirst for distinction leads him regard lightly the public interests. He 
married C!atharine, daughter of John H. Walsh. 

Another branch of the family is that of Miles Warren, a resident 
of Newbm-gh for many years. His grandfather was James Warren, 
of Woodbridge, now Bethany, Conn., who mamed Abigail Thomas 
and had: Jason, Sarah, Rachel, Abigail, Nathaniel, Jemima, Edward, 
and Richardson.* His son Richardson, was killed during the Revo- 
lution, on l)oard the American frigate Tnimbull, by a cannon baU 
which passed through both tliighs. His son Nathaniel, was bom Jan. 
15, 1755, and married Susanna, daughter of Isaac Johnson, of Sey- 
mour, Conn., by whom he had six children, viz: Betsey, Charles, 
Marshall, Isaac, Miles, Susan. Miles was born at Bethany, Conn., 
July 4, 1790, died in Newburgh, 18 — . He maiTied, first, SaUy Coe 
(1810) by whom he had: George T., WiUiam S., Edward R. (died), 
Edward R. M. (died), Sarah A. H. (died), and John W. Mrs. Sally 
W^arren died April 13, 1855, and he married (1856) Ruth, daughter 
of James MiUer, of Crawford, Orange county, by whom he had: Anson 
Miles, b. May 13, 1858. He was a maker and a dealer in boots and 
shoes in Newburgh, and also in Detroit, Mich. 

Isaac, the foui'th son of Nathaniel Warren, was bom in Bethany, 
Conn., Dec. 23, 1787. He married, Sept. 12, 1812, Leonora, daugh- 
ter of Israel Perkins, and had: Israel P., W^illiam E., Susan H., Isaac 
W., Harris F., Cornelia A., and George F. 

William E. Warren, the second son of Isaac, came to Newburgh in the spring of 1836. 
Having previously served an apprenticeship of three years as a clerk in a manufacturing 
estabUshnient at Waterbury, he readily obtained a situation with D. Crawford & Co., as 
book-keeper and cashier, where he remained until the spring of 1841. He subsequently 
engaged in mercantile business in Newburgh and New York, from which he retired in 1851. 
He soon after received the appointment of Auditor of the N. Y. & E. Railroad Co., which 
post he resigned in 1853, to accept that of Secretary and Treasurer of the Delaware, Lack- 
awanna and Western Railroad Co., of which he was afterwards elected a director. He re- 
signed bis connection with this company in the spring of 1858 ; and in 1859, received the 
appointment of Deputy Comptroller of the city of New York, which he filled one term, 
and subsequently engaged in the occupation of an accountant. He married, March 25, 
1840, Lydia Riggs, daughter of Charles and Amelia Birdsall, and has one daughter, Mary 
Cushman Warren, married Rev. George D. Silliman. 



■* New Haven Records. 



380 HISTORY OF NEWBUROH. 



THE CARPENTEK FAMrLY. 

The Newburgh family of this name are the descendants of Benja- 
min Carpenter, who was born in England in 1730. He emigrated to 
this country at an early age, and settled on Long Island, from whence 
he removed to Latintown (then in the town of Newburgh), Ulster 
county, where he resided until his death. He married (1764) Jane, 
daughter of the Rev. Mr. Leonard, of Goshen, and had six children, 
"of whom," says Mr. Eager,* "Jacob and Leonard Carpenter were 
two. These gentlemen, when young, were ship-builders, and con- 
tributed largely to promote the interests of Newburgh. They were 
afterwards the owners of the Newburgh feiTy, and were also engaged 
in mercantile and commercial pursuits." Leonard Carpenter married 
Bridget, daughter of Isaac Belknap, and had seven children, viz: 

(1) Benjamin, born Feb. 14, 1793, married Caroline S., daughter of 
John Warren, of Saratoga Springs, and had: 1. Mary F., who married 
Lewis M. Strong, of Northampton, Mass.; 2. John W., died in infancy; 
3. Warren, died in 1849; 4. Alida Josepha, married Horatio B. Reed. 
Mr. Cai-penter was engaged in the forwarding business in Newburgh 
from 1817 to 18(i5. He sustained during his whole career an unblem- 
ished reputation. He died January 31st, 1871 ; Mrs. Carpenter died 
April 5tli, 185(J. 

('2) Ehzabeth, married Wm. Thayer, f April 2, 1812, and had: 1. 
William L. ; 2. John S., married Catharine, daughter of Jirah Stearns, 
formerly of Pittsfield, Mass.; Elijah C, married Mary J., daughter of 
Hamilton Morrison, of Montgomery; 4. George A.; 5. Charles F., 
married Anna F., daughter of Lewis Miller, of New Windsor; Anna 
B., married Henry W. Dolson; 7. Caroline M., and 8. Elizabeth C. 

(3) Isaac R., unmarried; was at one time owner of the Newbui-gh 
ferry, and put the first steamer, the Post-Boy, on it; he also erected 
the United States hotel, built the "long dock," and laid out and open- 
ed, at different times, more miles of streets than any other citizen of 
his own or earlier times. Several dwellings of a superior class and 
other substantial contributions to progress are due to him.| 

(4) Jane Belknap, unmarried. 

(5) Alexander L., married Elizabeth Lawrence, of Fishkill. He died 
at his residence in Ohio, October 1, 1848, leaving Sarah L., Isaac L., 
and Lawrence F. 

(6) Sarah Lydia Stearns, unmarried. 

(7) Cynthia Warren, married Francis Crawford. 



* Eager'B Orange County, 161, &c. 

t William Thayer was horn in Brooklyn, Windham county, Conn., Sept. 21, 1784. He 
settled in Mewburgh about the commencement of the present century, and, in company 
with his brother, John Thayer, was engaged in an extensive and successful business for 
several years. He died April 9, 1855. J Ante p. 201, 252, etc. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 381 




Hugh Walsh, whose family was of English origin, emigrated from 
the vicinity of Belfast, Ireland, in the year 1764. He settled at Phila- 
delphia, Pa., where he was employed in the office of a Mr. Buchanan, 
a shipping merchant, but subsequently removed to New York, where 
he engaged in business, and where he married (1775) Catharine, 
daughter of Mrs. Jane Armstrong. During the closing years of the 
Revolution it is presumed that he was engaged in furnishing supplies 
to the American army at Peekskill, Fishkill and Newburgh. On one 
of his visits to the latter place, he purchased from Benjamin Smith 
(Feb. 22, 1782,) lots No. 8, 21, and 36, of the Township of Washing- 
ton (ante p. 159), being one half of the blocks bounded on the east 
by the river, north by Fourth street, and west by Smith street, for 
whitdi he paid $130 "in specie." He made no settlement on his pur- 
chase ; but in 1790 (April 26), he purchased from Governor George 
Clinton the northern part of the Chambers and Sutherland patent,* 
including the farm on which his son, the late John H. Walsh, resided 
from 1809 until his death in 1853. Residing for a year on that part 
of the tract now known as Windsor Hill, the property of Thos. W. 
Chrystie, he removed in 1791 to Newburgh and purchased the north- 
east corner of Water and Second streets, including the lands under 
water, whereon he built a dock and store-house, " opposite to the new 
market," (the former known for a time as Walsh's dock, now occu- 
pied by the Maillers,) for a general merchandise and freighting busi- 
ness, the latter from Newburgli to New York and Albany, which he 
continued until 1804, but sold his store to John Shaw in 1799. 

Mr. Walsh also engaged in several other business enterprises. In 
1792, with James Craig, t he built the paper mill afterwards owned by 
his son, John H. Walsh, and now by his grandson, J. DeWitt Walsli. 
About 1794, he erected a dwelling house on Water sti-eet (afterwards 
the famous Mansion House|), where he resided until 1808, when he 
removed to a more retired residence which he had built on a plot 
of ground fronting on the north side of Western Avenue and bound- 

* The property was jnirchased from the lieirs of William Chambers by Nathan Smith in 
1758. After the death of the latter, Clinton was the purchaser. The price paid by Mr. 
Walsh was £15(X), N. Y. currency. The property included the water front on the Hudson 
and the land running west on the south side of Quassaick creek. 

t Father of the late Hon. Hector Craig, of Craigville. :j: Ante p. 200. 



382 HISTORY OF NEWBUTWH. 

ed by Grand and Liberty streets. Surrounded by his faniUy, and 
kindly known among- neighbors and friends, and especially the clergy 
to whom his house was a home, he here spent the evening of his life 
He died in 1817, in the 72d year of his age. 

Mr. Walsh was one of the most active citizens of Newburgh in 
every thing relating to its impj-ovement, and more especially in ad- 
vancing its religious and educational interests. This fact, however, 
is so amply shown in other parts of this work that it is not necessary 
to do more than refer to it here. His family consisted of eight chil- 
dren, viz: 1. Jane; 2. Eliza, married Solomon Sleight (afterwards 
Judge of Common Pleas), and left no surviving issue; 3. James, mar- 
ried Elizabeth, daughter of Alex. Robertson, settled in New York and 
engaged in mercantile business. He died suddenly, while on a visit 
to Richmond, Va., leaving five children, some of whom now reside in 
New York. 4. Samuel Armstrong, who was a physician and for seve- 
ral years the surgeon of the West Point Mihtary Academy. He mar- 
ried Hester G., daughter of Pascal N. Smith, of New York, and died 
without issue in 1829. 5. John H., late of New Windsor, whose char- 
acter as a man of business, an upright citizen, and a conscientious 
christian, was widely known. He married Elizabeth, daughter of 
John DeWitt,* formerly of Duchess county, and left issue seven chil- 
dren, some of whom are settled in Newburgh and its vicinity. He 
died in 1853, and liis widow in 1875. 6. Catharine, married David 
Andrews of New York; 7. Mai-y Ann; 8. Charlotte, married the Rev. 
Jas. M. Matthews, tii'st Chancellor of the University of New York. 



THE DEGROVE FAMILY. 

Peter Adolph DeGrove, the founder of the American family of that 
name, was one of the Erench (Huguenot) settlers of New York, where 
he conducted mercantile bvisiness in 1737. He had three children, viz: 
1. Adolph, who removed to the Island of Jamaica, where he died leav- 
ing issue Peter, who returned to America and settled in Boston; 2. 

Peter, who married Rebecca , and had Peter, who died unmarried; 

Adolph, Avho settled in Newbvu'gh; Rachel, who married Capt. John 
Anderson (1738) and left no surviving descendants; and Rebecca, 
who married an Albertson, and has descendants in the Str^^kcr, Law- 
rence, and Crolius families of New York ; 3. Aefie, who manied Gar- 
ret Schuyler, a merchant of New York. 



* John DeWitt (erroneously printed DeWint, p. 184) was of a Holland t'amilv and a na- 
tive of the county of Duchess, where he was elected to the Assembly in 1786, '88, and '04, 
and sheriff 1789 to '97. He removed to Newburgh in 1806, and continued his residence here 
until his death. He was especially active in the construction of the Newburgh and Cochec- 
*"." "•"".P"^'^'' ^^'^ previous to the commencement of that work had made large purchases 
ot land m Sullivan county. It is said that he caused the first land to be cleared and the 
first road to be made in the present town of Callicoon, and that his son Andrew built the 
hrst house in that town (1813). He died in ISOS.—Qimdmts SuUivan Cou7dy, 151. 



BIOORAPHIVAL SKETCHES. 



388 





fV^ 







Adolph, the son of Peter DeGrove (2) was one of the refugees from 
New York, at the time of the occupation of that city by the EngHsh 
forces. He settled in Newburgh in 1777 or '78, and estabhshed a 
hotel on the south-west comer of Water and Third streets, which he 
conducted for several years; he subsequently removed to the opposite 
side of the street, where he also conducted a bakery. He took an 
active part, in the organization of the First Presbyterian church, of 
which he was a member. He died Nov. 29, 1796, in his 76th year. 
He married first, a Miss Lawrence, and had : 

(1) Adolph, Jr., who was an assistant quartennaster at Newburgh 
(1780), and had charge of the stores which were accumulated here 

^ from time 

^/^ /^l^-^.^^ the use of 

yy/^ y/^y^ / the army. He 
^^ ^-^ married (1769) Ehoda 
Coles, of Queens coun- 
ty, and had: 1. Robert 
C, married a Miss Smith and left one son, who died without issue; 2. 
Adolph L., married Catharine Gallow, of Newburgh, and had eight 
cliildren, viz: Edward 'W., who had two sons; Stephen C, died un- 
married; Charles H., left one child; Adolph L., unmarried; Eliza, 
married Dr. Wooster Beach; Catharine, married Noah Tompkins; 
Rebecca Jane, married William Clark; and Sarah; 3. John; 4. Coles; 
5. Samuel — all of whom died unmarried; and 6. Sarah, who married 
John Mitchell, of L. I., and left no surviving issue. 

(2) William, who left issue 






two sons, Michael and Quin- 

sey,and one daughter, Sarah. 

Quinsey died without issue, 

Dec. 1860. Michael had several children. — 

Sarah manned a Mr. Sobietes. 

(3) John, Avho probably married and left issue. (4) Sarah, who 

married first, a Mr. Rivers, by whom she had Sarah who married a 

Mr. Hartwich; and second, Enoch Carter. (5) Mary, who married a 

Captain Smith, and left issue Benjamin and Rebecca. 

— The second wife of Adolph DeGrove was Mary, sister of Enoch 
Carter, by whom he had no issue. 



384 HISTORY OF NEWBUBOH. 

THE CARTER FAMILY. 

Enoch Carter, from whom the family in Newburgh of that name 
descended, was a native of Philadelphia— a Quaker in creed, raising 
his cliildrcn in that faith, and of Enghsh ancestry. He had one 
brother, Joseph Carter, who was an officer in the English navy, and 
who died unmarried, and one sister, Mary, who was the second wife 
of Adolph DeGrove.* He removed to New York prior to the Kevo- 
lution, and prosecuted there the occupation of a tanner and currier. 
Although restrained by his religious creed fi-om taking an active pai-t 
in the stniggle for independence, he made no concealment of his po- 
htical sympathies, and hence, when the English obtained possession 
of the city, he was compelled to abandon his property there, and to 
seek personal safety Avithin the American lines. He located near Foi"t 
Montgomery, where he constructed vats and resumed the manufacture 
of leather; but returned to New York, after peace was declared, and 
resided there until his death in 1702. 

Mr. Carter married Sarah Kivers, a widowed daughter of Adolph 
DeGrove by his fii'st wife, and had six children, viz: 1. Jonathan; 2. 
Adolph, who married Ann McDowell of New York, and had: George, 
Joseph, Sarah, Ann, Mary, Margaret (married Saml. Reeve), Richard, 
and EMzabcth; 2. Margaret, who mariicd R. Henry Richards, and who 
had two child! on, viz: Henry, who died at the age of 13 years, and 
James, who died at the age of 31 years leaving issue Sarah, who mar- 
ried Doct. Chas. Peck, and Henry ^^'. 4. Maiy, who married Benja- 
min Halstead, eldest brother of the late Capt. Charles Halstead of 
Newbuigli. She died in her 29tli year, leaving one child, Margaret 
R., who married Saml. T. Callahan. 5. ICnoch, who died at the age 
of 20 years, without issue. 6. Rebecca, who married a Mr. Rose, and 
who has descendants lesiding in the vicinity of Foi-t IMontgomoiy. 

y^ -y~P^ "'y^^ J Jonathan (1), 

7/ / ^^ Enoch Carter, 

\j^^ was born in New 

York, Nov. 2, 1772. He continued tlie business which his father had 
conducted in New York, and provided for the support of his father's 

* Mrs. Mary (Carter) DeGrove died April 20, 1824, in her 35th year. Referring to her 
death, fill' Pnli/icai fndeT of April 27, remarks : " Fow persons have sustained a long life 
so iisifully and irrcpri.achablv as the snbjecf of this notice. Mrs. DeGrove was almost the 
last of that class of exalted females which adorned lhe society of our village in former 
times. The dames DuBois. DeGrove. Ripgs, Carpenter, Bowman, and a few others wjio 
might he named, maiotained by their edncation, piety and virtue, that distinction under a 
democracy which a regal government conferred upon rank. Their manners wito formed 
in tlie higher circles before the Revoluticm, and were admirably maintaiued. Those who 
have enjoyed their society will long remendier the high-toned urbanity, the excellent edu- 
cation, the exalted piety, the charity of feeling and benevolence of action which marked 
all their intercourse with society and commanded it,s adnuration. But it is a part of our 
nature to perish ; and they have been gathered to the home of their fathers, full of years, 
full of honors, and we hope, crowned with immortal life." 



BTOGRAl'HICAL SKETCHES. 



385 



family, until 1798, when the latter was broken up under the panic 
caused by the yellow fever. He then came to Newburgh, where, with 
the assistance of his aunt, Mrs. DeGrove, he opened (1709) a store 
for the manufacture and sale of tobacco, and he continued in that 
business until his death. He was thrice married — first, to Elizabeth, 
daughter of John Anderson, Jr., who died (1799) in her 17th year, 
without issue;* second, to Bridget, daughter of Benj. Smith, who died 
in 1803 leaving one child, Elizabeth, who married Ward M. Gazlay; 
third, to Jane Linderman,f who died in 1830, leaving issue: 1. Enoch; 
2. Margaret, who married Levi D. Woolsey; 3. Catharine, who mar- 
ried Henry Ryer, and 4. Charles. Mr. Carter died May 30, 1820, in 
his 48th year. He was highly esteemed by the community, and " in 
all his relations he sustained an upright and worthy character." 

Enoch Carter, oldest son of Jonathan 
Carter, was for several years identified with 
the political, social and business history of 
Newburgh. In early life he shipped on one 
of the Newburgh Whaling Company's ves- 
sels ; and after his return commenced the 
tobacco business in a store opposite the 
Higlihind Bank, where he remained until ho 
had opporiunity, through the death of Mr. 
Wiley (his father's successor), to ^irchase 
the stock and take possession of his father's 
old place of business, in which he continued 
the trade until a few years before his death. 
He took a deep interest in politics; was 
frequently the candidate of the Democratic 
jiarty for local positions, and represented it 
in state and national conventions, gaining 
a reputation more than local. His charac- 
ter was two-fold — the outward, springing 
from impulse and marred by the impress of associations by sea and land into which he 
was thrown ; and the inward, actuated by kindly sympathies and noble purposes. Of the 
first it is not necessary to speak, as it was that in which he was most frequently met, — a 
compound of Quaker faith and charity, and of the rudeness of the quarter-deck ; but in 
the latter, he gave many evidences of a strong, quick and original mind, developed by 
habits of thought and observation. Perhaps none of the active men of his generation 
evinced a deeitcr interest in the prosi)(;rty of his native place than he, and certainly none 
wore more self-sacrificing in advancing measures designed to give to it character abroad. 
If " a liberal mind deviseth liberal things," then was he most liberal, for he never wearied 
in devising objects designed to confer some lasting good ; and if not " by apostolic blows 
and knocks," by equally potent means he succeeded in grafting many of his suggestions 
upon public and j)rivato policy. He was the originator of the plan for separating tlie tov/n 




* John Anderson and John Anderson, Jr., were early merchants of Newburgh, but it is 
not, knowH that they sustained any relationship. The former married Jane McEoberts in 
17H0. His wife died in 181.5, in her 45th year ; and he died in 1816, in his 52d year. The 
latter married Maria, daughter of Benjamin Smith sometime about 1772. His' daughter, 
Elizabeth, married Jonathan Ciirter, and his family is represented by Hiram Anderson, 
now or late of New York. Mrs. (,'arter died of yellow fever— the first 'and, it is said, the 
only case of that disease in Newburgh. 

+ The Lindermans are of German ancestry. They were among the early settlers of the 
town of Crawford, and the family is still numerous in this county and in Ulster. 

025 



38(j HISTORY OF XEWBURGH. 

from the county in the snjtport of the (loor, which has proved his assiunjition that there- 
by the poor would be better and more economically provided for. The erection of a new 
county with Newhurgh for its shire-town, he urajed as being dictated by the convenience 
of the jicople interested and their due influence in the government : and thougli not suc- 
cessful, the seed sown has a tirm rooting. To local improvements of every kind he waB a 
liberal contributor; while to his antiquarian tastes and to his reverence for the memory of 
the founders of the nation, the public are mainly indebted for the valuable collection of 
manuscripts and other relics which are deposited in Washington's Head-quarters, as well 
as for the rescue of that property from the grasp of private speculation and the care with 
which the mansion has been preserved. He was one of the founders of the Mechanics' 
Library Association, and gave to it a large collection of minerals ; manifested a deep in- 
terest in the success of free schools and a free library, and at one time prepared his will 
for the endowment of a school of design. Indeed, the predominant trait in his disposition 
was to be practically useful ; to be histrnmental in conferring permanent bcnetits upon the 
comnmnity, and especially to surround the young with incentives to lead worthy lives and 
with advantages and associations of which his own exi>erience had taught him the neces- 
sity. His last work was the Cedar Hill Cemetery, in which his remains were the first to 
be interred. He died in Newhurgh, January 14, 1872, after an illness of short duration. 




JOSEPH HOFFMAN. 

Joseph Hoffiuau was born in New York about 1773. 
Altliougli very little is positively known in reference to 
to the subject, it is believed tliat he was a descendant of 
one of the early Dutch burghers of that city, but it 
is equally probable that he sprung fi'om one of the 
Palatine iiumigi-ants of 1710.* He came to Newbui'gh 
17i)8, m the employ of Adolph DeGrove; but subsequently, in com- 
pany with his brother, John Hoffman, purchased the establishment 
fi-om Mrs. DeGrove, and continued it as a bakery and confectionery. 
He remained with his brother until 1804:, when he erected a building 
on the noiih-west corner of Water and Second streets, and began 
business on his own account,| and continiTed it untU his death. 

Mr. Hoflhian was eminently a just man. He was educated in the 
Lutheran faith, and was attached to that church until he became a 
resident of Newbvirgh. As there was no organization of that denomi- 
nation here, however, he united with St. George's chiTrch, at the time 
of its reiu-ganization (1805), and held an active and mtiuential mem- 
bei-ship in that body dtu'ing the remainder of his hfe. He was a 
quiet, unassuming man, an upright citizen and a sincere christian. 

Mr. Hoffinan was a member of the board of tnistees of the village 
for several tenns, and was also one of the trustees of the Glebe. In 
these and in several less important public trusts, he was remarkable 
for the faithful manner in which he discharged his duties. He was a 
man of good common sense, had a thorough appreciation of right, 



* ' 



The Hoffmans were of Swedish origin. In the time of Gustavus Adoljihus, thev re- 
moved to Germany and became distinguished in Dutch and German literature. In Scau- 
dmavian, the name is Hoppman in German, Hoffman, or " ('hild of Hope."— //o/(/rt/e. 
t .\nte p. 17-i, 198. John Hoffman removed to the province of New Brunswick. 



JilOGRArmtAL tiKETCllEti. ;}87 



above all he had a disposition that was not easily ruffled. These 
traits in his character exhibited themselves in his every act, and won 
for him the respect of all. In his personal api)earance and in his 
habits, especially durin<]f the latter part of his life, he was a type of 
the ancient Knickerbockers, and had his dress been less modern the 
resemljlance would have been (!omplete. 

Mr. Hoffman married Maria, dau<ifhter of Abraham W. Van Deusen, 
of New York, and had: 1. Eliza Ann, who man-ied Roberi Reeve and 
had Fanny M., Cathai-ine, Adaline H., Henrietta H., Hoffman, and 
Robert. 2. Mai-y, who manied Paddock Chapman* and had Mary 
E., married William H. Gerard; Joseph H. H., man-ied Lydia W. 
Sanxay; Catharine M. ; Susan A., mairied Ithamar D. Phelps; Debo- 
rah A.; Thomas P., married Lydia Crist; Isaac C, married Letitia 
Kennedy; Charles F., married Agnes Hamilton; James L., died 1840; 
William G., married Emeline Welch; Caroline G., married Heni'y 
Hunter; and Louisa. 3. Catharine, who married William Scott,"f" and 
had Maria J., married Calvin Sloat; Harriet L.; Cornelia E.; Sarah E., 
and Anna, married Jas. L. Teller. 4. Aliraham V. D., died in his 14th 
year. 5. Susan, died younj^. 6. HaiTiet Amelia, married John D. 
Phillips, and had Maria H., Joseph H., John D., Adaline, Clark, and 
Edmund. 7. Adaline, married David Howell, died without issue. 
8. Cornelia E., married Edmund S. Sanxay, | and left issue Frederick 
D., Charles D., and Georj^e W. 1). Cecelia A., man-ied Nelson Haif^ht 
and had Henry M., Robert W., Joseph H., Abraham, and Charles E. 
10. Sarah A., and 11. Jane. Mr. Hoffman died Nov. l(j, 1852, ag'ed 
79 years, and his wife, Maria, died June 4, 18(59, in her 94th year. 



THK ROBERT GARDINER FAMILY. 

James Gairdner, the; paternal ancestor of this family, was a native of 
Glaseow, Scotland. His wdfe was a Miss M'Nair; and their (children 
were: 1. Robert; 2. James; 8. Mar<^aret; 4. (Jecelia — of whom 

Robert Gardineu (1) \-\\v. born May .31, \HV.). Hi; emi-^ratiH] to America in 178!) or '90, 
and Hcttled t(!ni])ornrih' in Duchess county, Init soon after removed to Newburgli, where 
he was first employed as a clerk in the store of Mr. Hugh Walsh, and afterwards with 
John Anderson and John McAuley. To conform his family name to the American idiom, 
ho transposed the letter /, jjlacing it after the letter d, rendering it Gardmer. He reiin- 
quifthed the occnipation of clerl; in 1705. and opened, on the south-west comer of Water 
and Fourth Htreets, a general Htore, and adjoining it (on the site now occupied by Chap- 
man's drug store) what was then termed a " Coftee House " — the latter the first estabhsh- 



* Mr. Chapman was a descendant of Ralph Chapman, of Southwark, Eng., who settled 
in Duxbury, Miss., in 1635. He was l)orn in Soutlieast, Putnam county; removed to New- 
burgh about 1810; married Mary Hoffman, May 4, 1820; died April 2, 1865. 

t William Scott married, first, Sarah, daughter of John Spier, who left issue Francis 
Scott, who served as cashier of the old Bank of Newburgli, treasurer of the city, etc. 

X Edmund S. Sanxay married, first, Eliza, daughter of Mark Mclntyre, who left issue 
Edmund S. Sanxay. "" " ' ""- 

who " 
W. (married Joseph H. H. Chapman.) 



miiiiiuuu o. oaiiAii_y iiiaiiicu, iii .-^t, ju112.il, uu/ii^uuur ui xuarK luiuiliyre, WHO ieiL ISBUe 

lund S. Sanxay. Mr. Sanxay was the son of Edmund and Lydia (Belknap) Sanxay, 
1 left issue Charlotte (married a Sandford), Edmund S., John H., Stej)hen, and Lydia 
(married Joseph H. H. Chapman.) 



388 HISTORY OF NEWBUBGE. 



ment of the kind in Newburgh— and was first to introduce the drinking of ale beer. His 
house soon became a favorite resort; and his pewter jjint cups, with their ensrraved wreath 
enclosing the initials, "R. G.." were a pleasant memory to many old citizens. In 1802, he 
became a citizen, and from that time until 1812, was variously engaged as a school-master, 
captain of a sloop, painter, and merchant, and finally established a confectionery and toy 
store. In 1812, he was ordered, with the company of militia of which he Avas first lieuten- 
ant, to Staten Island, where he remained about three months. Soon after his return the 
reign of shin-plasters commenced, and " among the many individiials and corporations by 
whom they were issued," remarks Mr. Eager, "none had a greater circulation than Robert 
Gardiner's small bills. Some idea may be formed of the extent of the circulation of shin- 
plasters at that time, when the fact is stated, that the average weekly amount taken in 
exchange for bank bills and his own, together with what he received in the course of 
business, amounted to no less than $2,000." * 

Mr. Gardiner married first (1791), Jane, daughter of Benj. Smith, and had: 1. James 
M., born Oct. 24, 1792; 2. Robert S., died young; 3. Robert S., born October 29, 1795; 4. 
Cecelia B., born July 11, 1799. Mrs. Jane Gardiner died in 1803, and he married, Feb. 19, 
1804, Sybil Burr, and had: 5. Jefiferson V. V.; 6. Arabella J. G. V. V.; 7. Cicero A., died 
Feb. 24, 1875; 8. Demosthenes C; 9. Iduella T. R.; 10. Lawrence L.; 11. Marion A.; 12. 
Zehma; 13. Franklin M. ; 14. Lewis W., married Frances Emily Ferry; 15. Baron Steuben; 
16. Anastesia M., married Lewis H. Stansbrough. He died March 3, 1831, on a small farm; 
which he had named Mount Airy, situate a short distance west of Newburgh. His wife, 
Sybil, died in 1854. 

Jasies M'Nair Gardiner (11, the oldest son 
of Robert and Jane Gardiner, received his early 
education in Newburgh. At the age of 16 years, 
he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. 
Gidney; and was subsequently a private pupil to 
Doct. Mott, of New York, for eighteen months. 
He commenced practice in 1813, and his services 
were in constant requisition from that time until 
Oct. 1st, 1857, Avhen he was confined to his resi- 
dence by a chronic illness which terminated his 
life (Dec. 8th) the following year. In conversa- 
tion with him a short time prior to his death, lie 
informed the writer that, before he liad been a 
pupil for one year, so great was the demand for 
the services of a physician, that he was thrust forward by his instructor into practice; and 
that, before he was 17 years of age, he had attended with success several difficult cases of 
child-birth. " May God forgive me for any errors in practice that I may have committed 
then," said he, " but I done the best for sutfering humanity that I could. And since that 
time, how many of the tu'st accents of the living, and the farewells of the dying, have 
fallen upon my ear. I have seen suffering in all its forms; have had, what few physicians 
can claim, two cases of triplets— one all boys, and the other all girls— pass through my 
hands into this breathing world; and, as a general rule, I may claim,— and I am too near 
my grave to be accused of boasting,— a most successful practice.'' 

The concurrent testimony of the community in whicli Doct. Gardiner practiced for 
nearly half a century, establishes beyond question his thorough acquaintance -with disease 
in all its forms; and the demand for his services, at all times as great as he could respond 
to, attests his skill. In his intercourse with society, or with his patients, he was always 
pleasant and agreeable; and many instances are related v/here the sick forgot their pains, 
and rallied into new life, as he imparted cheerfuhiess to the chamber of suflfering by his 
queer stories, which few knew better how to relate. He was a. man of good Hteraiy taste 
and cultivati on; was familiar with most of the standard writers of Great Britain, as well 

* The issue of small bills, referred to by Mr. Eager, was occasioned by the scarcity of 
specie which was drawn from circulation to meet the requirements of the army. The 
Board ot Trustees of the village printed and circulated several reams of this currency, 
ranging from 64 to 50 cents, which was redeemed at the Bank of Newburgh. 




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 339 



as his own country; quoted with facility from Shakspeare and Scott; and was a frequent 
contributor to the literary associations of which he was a member, and to the public press. 
He married, first, Maria, daughter of Josiah Vail, of Wallkill, and bad : 1. Eobert W.; 2. 
Lucy Ann Cornelia, married Dr. Daniel Wells, of New York. Mrs. Maria Gardiner died in 
1824, and ho married, second, CaroUne H., daughter of David Havens, of Cornwall, and 
had: 3. Maria A., married Charles Smith, of Newburgh, died May 2, 1855; 4. James H., 
died young; 5. Walter S.; 6. Carohne H.; 7. James H., died young; 8. Emma Jane, mar- 
ried Charles Stewart, of Newburgb; 9. James M.; 10. Henry C. James M. (9), an ama- 
ture astronomer, was the discoverer of what is known as Gardiner's Comet. <- 



THE JOHN BROWN FAMILY. 

John Brown was a native of Monagiian, Ireland, where he conduct- 
ed business as a dealer in hardware and books and stationery ; he also 
had printing in connection with his establishment. In the events pre- 
ceding the Irish EebeUion of 1798, he expressed his sympathies with 
the reforms demanded, and as freedom of opinion was not tolerated 
by the English, he soon found the officers of the government on his 
track. Knowing his fate if arrested, he slipped a roU of guineas in 
his pocket and secured a passage in a vessel on the eve of sailing for 
New York. His wife and family remained in Ireland, closed up his 
business there, and followed him to America in 1800. 

Mr. Brown came to Newburgh almost immediately after his arrival 
in this country; and, with the assistance sent on by his wife, opened 
what he called an "Universal Store." * It was the first store of the 
kind in Newbui-gh, and he enjoyed a large trade. He subsequently 
erected the building now No. 69 Water stieet; sold his books and 
confined his attention mainly to hardware, in which his sons, John 
and James S., were his successors. He died Oct. 1, 1825, in his 67th 
year.f His wife was Alice Chichester, a lady of Scotch parentage; 
she died Sept. 14, 1829. Their childi-en were: 

1. Chichester, born Jan. 20, 1783, died August 8, 1849; married 
Catharine, daughter of Doct. Graham, of Shawangunk, and had: 1. 
John James, married Mary R. Van Arsdale, who died March 5, 1 855, 
leaving one son, Chichester; 2. George, died in 1870; married Jeanet, 
daughter of George Bruce, of New York, and had Bmce B. 

2. John, manied Eliza Case, of Goshen; died in 1852 without issue. 

3. James S., married, first, Sarah Haines; had Hannah, Jane, Ann 

* The character of* the business which was conducted by Mr. Brown will be better un- 
derstood by stating, that he kept for sale "Hardware, Jewelry, Iron-mongery, Nails, 
Hollow-ware, Lookmg-Glasses, Window Glass, Paints and Oil, China, Glass, Delft, Bristol 
and Stone-ware, Bil)les, School Books, Novels, Histories, Dr. Owen's Prophetical Sermon, 
Groceries, Wines, Brandy, Gin, and Spirits." 

. t The Gazette, of concurrent date, remarks : "The death of Mr. Brown will be sensibly 
felt by the community, of which he was an honorable and esteemed member; and the 
church to which he was attached has suffered a loss which will long be remembered with 
painful emotions. Possessed of ample means and a heart always open to the caUs of 
charity, he was a father to the fatherless ; and the afilicted never called on him m vain. 
His grave will be watered with the tears of gratitude, and his memory will be cherished 
with respect for his virtues, and affection for his benevolence." 



:590 



HIS roil Y OF NE WB UR G H. 



Eliza, Sarah, John C, Aehsah, and Isabella. His second wife, a 
daughter of Washington Wood, was without issue. 

4. Isabella, married Eobei-t Wilson; died in 1821. 

5. Anna Jane, married John Forsyth; died in 1852. 

6. Edward, died in 1820. 

Chichesteb Brown (1) received a liberal education, and entered active life as a teacher 
(if Latin and Greek in the Newburgh Academy ; he subsequently stood at the head of a 
large classical school in Albany. The profession of teaching, however, he soon relinquished 
for that of i)hysician, and commenced his studies under Doct. Graham, of Shawangunk, 
(grandfather of Hon. James G. Graham,) an eminent physician and surgeon. In 1808 or 
"J, he entered practice in the western part of the town of Newburgh ; and in 1812 or 
'13, removed to the village, where he continued to reside until his death. He was one of 
the most devoted physicians that ever practiced in Newburgh. No hardship was too great 
for him to encounter, and the voice of sufl'ering always found him ready at its call. Espe- 
cially was he kind and attentive to the poor. The wealthy he knew could command attend- 
ance and comfort, and that tho poor were too frequently permitted to suffer and die with- 
out a thought for their condition. This evil he labored to correct; and in his mission of 
good never paused to inquire into the pecuniary circumstances of his patient. He fell a 
martyr to this noble trait in his character — contracted disease in the humble cabin of the 
inunigrant, and after a short illness, rested from his labors. If it be true that 

" All our actions take 

Their hues from the complexion of the heart, " 

then is his memory justly cherished. He was, in some respects, what would be called 
eccentric ; but his face half shrouded in green spectacles, a tan, an umbrella, and a cane, 
his usual costume in the street ; and the silver drinking cup which he carried in his pocket, 
lest through its absence at any time he should take more of refreshing beverages than would 
be conducive to his good, are all pleasant pictures in the history of his useful life. His 
son, George, was a practicing physician and had many of his father's traits of character. 
His son, John James, was for many years principal of the Newburgh Institute. 



PHINEAS BOWMAN. 

Among the lawyers who took up their resi- 
dence in Newburgh at an early period, was 
Phineas Bowman. He liad served in a Mas- 
sachusetts regiment in the war of the Revo- 
lution, and attained the rank of captain, but 
was usually addressed by the title of colonel. 
He came here with the anny, and either re- 
mained here after its disbandment, as was the 
case with several of his contemporaries in the 
service, or returned here not long subsequent 
to that event. He was a man of good legal attainments; was admit- 
ted to practice in the courts of Ulster county in 1790; rose rapidly in 
his profession, and rendered his constituents valuable sei-vice, as a 
member of the legislature in 1798, by secm-ing a law erecting the pres- 
ent county of Orange. During the last few years of his life, however, 
he lost his character and his foi-tune by habits of intemperance; and 
his memory is now preserved only through the medium of anecdotes, 
some of them of doubtful authenticity, arising from occurrences in 




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



391 



which he is said to have been a principal participant, but which are 
also claimed as incidents in the life of Judge Baker. He owned the 
property subsequently purchased by the late WUliam Roe, on Mont- 
gomeiy street. His residence, however, was taken down by Mr. Roe, 
and removed to the south-west corner of Montgomery and Third 
streets. He left one daughter, Mary, who married Benj. Anderson, a 
student in her father's office. His wife, Mary, died March 22, 1813, 
universally esteemed by all who enjoyed her acquaintance.* 



JONATHAN FISK. 

Jonathan Fisk, the most distinguished of the early lawyers of New- 
burgh, was born at Amherst, N. H., Sept. 26, 1773. He was the son 
of Jonathan Fisk who subsequently resided at Williamstown, Vt., and 
became a member of the legislatiu-e of that state, and judge of pro- 
bate, as well as the founder of that branch of the family of which the 
late James Fisk, of Erie raih-oad fame, was a member. Jonathan Fisk, 
Seni'., was the son of Major-general John Fisk, of Salem; who was the 
son of Rev. Samuel Fisk, of Salem; who was the son of Rev. Moses 
Fisk, of Braintree; who was the youngest son of Rev. John Fisk, 
who came to Salem in 1637, settled at Wenham, afterwards removed 
to Chelmsford, Mass., and died in his charge in 1676.f 

Jonathan Fisk, the subject of this sketch, 
left the home of Ms father at the age of 19 
years, and commenced the occupation of school 
teacher, qualified, according to a letter of rec- 
ommendation signed by Moses Bradford, Dec. 
12, 1792, to teach " writing, English grammar, 
and arithmetic.'' We next find him at Ware, 
N. H., in 1795, with a certificate, stating that 
he had lived for several months in the family' 
of Amos Wood, of that place, where he had 
"read Greek and Latin, and attended to other 
branches of study, by which he appeared well- 
qualified to teaeli a school;" and that he 
"maintained a good moral character." In 
1796 or '97, he entered the office of Peter 
Hawes, in Now York, and commenced the 
study of law. He was without other means 
of sui)port than such as his own industry could 
furnish, but he was enabled to complete his 
studies by occasional remuneration for services as an anuimiensis, and by giving instruc- 
tion to a class of young men in the evening. In 1790, he was admitted to practice in the 
court of Common Pleas of Westchester county; in 1800, in the Supreme Court of the 
state, and during the same year, in the courts of Common Pleas of the counties of Orange 
and Ulster. In 1802, he was examined by Chief Justice Morgan Lewis, and " regularly 
admitted as a Counsellor of Law, in all the courts of the State of Nev/ York." Mr. Fisk 




* Ante p. 180, 384. The engraving given in connection with this sketch is from a profile 
likeness taken in 1798, while Mr. Bowman was a member of the legislature. 

t This genealogical statement is from a memorandum found among Mr. Fisk's papers 

The family is presumed to have descended from Eobert and Sybil Fiske of Suffolk co., Eug. 



392 HISTORY OF NEW BURGH. 

removed to Newburgli, Feb. 4, 1800. In 1809, he was elected representative in Congress 
Ironi the Vlth District, which was composed of the counties of Orange and Westchester; 
and again in 1814.* Parties were tlien known by the titles of democrats and federalists. 
Mr. Fisk was a democrat and an ardent supporter of the administrations of Jefferson and 
of Madison. While in Congress, he sustained the war of 1812; opposed the recharter of 
the Bank of the United States;! proposed a plan for a national printing oflice, and during his 
whole career he commanded the confidence of his friends and the respect of his opponents. 

In 1815 (March 21), he was appointed by President Madison, attorney for the United 
States in and for the Southern District of New York, and this appointment was renewed 
Jan. fi, 181(). Here he was very dilhgent and efiicient in prosecuting those who evaded the 
law in regard to the sale of foreign merchandise without a license, and so exasperated did 
this class of offenders become that they threatened him with personal punishment. Fail- 
ing to intimidate him, they appealed to congress on a question of fees, for the purpose of 
securing his removal from oflice. The subject was referred to the Committee on the Ju- 
diciary, who reported that while Mr. Fisk's fees had been large, and in some instances un- 
sustained by law, he had nevertheless been governed by the usage of the former incum- 
bents of the office; and the subject died " on the table." He remained undisturbed until 
the expiration of Madison's administration, in 1820, when his successor was appointed. 

As a citizen, Mr. Fisk was highly esteemed. The town records', the tiles of our public 
journals, and his own manuscripts, bear testimony' to the commanding position which he 
occupied, and to the superiority of his abilities. The most important legal casus were 
submitted to his care; while on the various local questions of the times, his views received 
the highest consideration. In 1803 or '4, he married Sarah Van Kleeck, of Poughkeepsio, 
and soon afterwards erected the mansion recently occupied by llharles Halstead, Senr., 
deceased, in Colden street, where he resided until his ajipointment as District Attorney, 
when he removed to New York. At the expiration of his otKcial term, he returned to 
Newburgh, and purchased the farm lately owned and occupied by Lyude Belknap, where 
he resided until his death. 

In person, Mr. Fisk was large and of a presence that impressed all with whom he had 
intercourse with a sense of his superiority — 

"A combination, and a form indeed, 
Where every God did seem to set his seal, 
To give the world assurance of a man !" 

His wife was a lady of more than ordinary personal attractions, Hvely, witty, and not with- 
out fair hterary abiUties. His family record is as follows: Jonathan Fisk, born Sept. 26, 
1773; died July 13, 1832. Sarah Van Kleeck, wife of Jonathan Fisk, born March 18, 1773; 
died June 0, 1832. Children: Theodore S., found dead in the street in New York in 1854 
or '55; James L., died at Pensacola in 1835; Delaphine R. E., married J. C. Bisbee, died July 
22, 1846; Mary M., died June 8, 1822; and an infant son who died at the age of two months. 



JONAS STOKEY. 

Jonas Storey was born in Norwich, Conn., July 11th 1778. He 
early manifested a strong desire for the legal profession, and notwith- 
standing the opposition of his father, was enabled by his own exer- 
tions to enter William's college, where he graduated with honor. 
While reading law he was at the same time an instructor in the 
Poughkeepsie Academy. He was admitted to the bar in 1802, soon 



* Mr. Fisk's opponent, in 1808, was R. Hattield. The vote in Newburgh was: Fisk, 298; 
Hatheld, 27; and in the county, he had 483 majority. In 1814, the vote in Newburgn stood: 
Fisk, 324; Storey, 97. In the county, i'isk received 2345 votes, and Storey 660. 

t It sliould, perhaps, be stated, that Mr. Fisk opposed the recharter of the bank in the 
funu which the bill prescribed. His speech on this subject was deUvered Jan. 18, 1811, 
and incurred the displeasure of the eccentric John Randolph, who replied to it in his usual 
sarcastic manner. Fisk rejoined and handled his opponent with such force that he won 
from him a tribute of respect and secured his friendship. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 393 



after he removed to Newburo'h, where he maintained for forty years 
a distinguished place among the members of his profession. 

Mr. Storey was one of those old fashioned jurists who regarded law 
as a science ; he was ever searching for its piinciples, but he was none 
the less skiUfvd in their practical application. "With the best of the 
old English classics he was familiar. He was also exceedingly fond of 
metaphysical studies, and this tendency of his mind, perhaps, led him 
to si:)end too much time speculating about the more abstruse points of 
Christian doctrine. So extended were his studies in this dii-ection 
that he might be properly called a theologian as well as a lawyer. He 
took a prominent part in the discussions on the subject of religion, 
which prevailed here at the commencement of the present century. 
He had probably heard more sermons preached than any other man 
of his age in the village ; and he retained for years the outline of any 
that had pariicularly interested him. 

Mr. Storey held the office of Justice of the Peace for several years, 
and his prompt and even handed administration of the law made his 
court a terror to evil doers. He was a candid man, and sometimes 
gave utterances to his thoughts with a freedom which bordered upon 
bluntness; but beneath tliis manner there was a heari full of kindly 
sympathies. He retii-ed from the active duties of his profession a few 
years previous to his death, but the change was disastrous; his miiid, 
released fi-om its long roiitine of toil, appeared to turn inward upon 
itself, and reason forsook its throne. He died Sept. 22, 1848, in the 
77th year of his age. 

Mr. Storey marned (Oct 18, 1804), Mary, daughter of Isaac Schultz, 
of New Windsor, and had: 1. Henry E., who married Rebecca Cook, 
is now deceased; 2. Edwin, who married Abbey Basset Clark, is now 
deceased; 3. Helen E., who married Orville M. Smith, is now deceas- 
ed; 4. Mary B., who man-ied Daniel Smith; 5. Nathan S., who mar- 
ried Harriet Smith, is now deceased. 



THE SCHULTZ FAMILY. 

Christian Otto Schultz was born Jan. 22d, 1712, at Bredenfelt, in 
the dukedom of Mecklenburgh, Oermany; and his wife, Margaret 
Sharpenstien, was born in April, 1713, at Sagendorp, Germany. They 
emigrated to America in 1735; settled at Fishkill, Duchess county, 
and had: Anna, x4.braham, Isaac, Christopher, Margaret,* Christian, 
Frederick, Peter, WiUiam, Jacob, and John. These children were the 
founders of the different families of the name in Duchess and Orange 
counties. Those in Orange county are the descendants of Isaac, born 

* Margiiiet married Kichard Schell, and was the grandmother of the present Augustus 
and Kicliaid Schell of New York. 



394 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 

July 28, 1740, and of his wife, Maiy Kilborne, whom he married in 
1765. He followed the occupation of school-teacher for some years; 
subsequently, having saved a small sum of money, he opened a store 
in New Windsor, and soon became comj)aratively wealthy. He after- 
wards established what was long known as Schultz's mill, near the 
mouth of Quassaick creek. He died May 25th, 1802, fi-om injui-ies re- 
ceived in falling through a trap-door in his mill. His wife died June 
9tli, 1811. His childi-en were: Sarah, Elizabeth, Abraham, Peggy, 
Jacob, Susanna, Joanna, Mary, Deborah, Abigail, and Isaac. Abra- 
ham succeeded his father in the store at New Windsor, and carried on 
the forwarding business.* Isaac became heir to the mill. Mary mar- 
ried Jonas Storey of Newburgh. 

Jacob Schultz, the second son of Isaac (1), was born April 23, 1776, and married, Feb. 
14, 1799, Anna, daughter of Jolin Denniston, of New Windsor. His first appearance in 
business was as the editor and proprietor of the New Wiiulsor Gazette, the pubUcation 
and character of Avhich has been noticed in previous pages. In 1810, he opened a dry 
goods and grocery store in Newburgh, in company with Andrew DeWitt, and was engaged 
in this trade until 1814, when he purchased from his brother, Isaac, the old mill of his 
father ; but afterwards sold it to Peter Towusend, came back to Newburgh and entered 
business in company with George Betts. He retired, in 1818, to a small farm in the town 
of New Windsor, erected a substantial stone house, and in the quiet independence of agri- 
cultural pursuits spent the remainder of his Hfe. He died in 1859. His children were : 
1. John D., married Sophia Marsh, of New York, and had fifteen children ; 2. Fanny W., 
married John Latham ; 3. Mary Ann, married Thos. J. Fulton, of New Windsor; 4. Cath- 
arine M.; 5. Jacob K., married Helen J. Howser. 



JOHN FORSYTH. 

Jolm Forsyth was born near the city of Aberdeen in Scotland, in 
1786 or '87. His parents were in comfoi-table circumstances, but the 
death of his father in the meridian of life, and the subsequent mis- 
conduct of some persons with whom he had been associated in busi- 
ness, left his widowed mother with a family of young childi-en, for a 
time in a straighttned condition. Her son was sent to the grammar 
school of Aberdeen, where he had for a school-mate the famous Lord 
Byron, but from the cause before mentioned he was deprived of these 
educational advantages sooner than he otherwise would have been. 

Mr. Forsyth (;ame to this country in 1805, intending to proceed to 
North Carolina or Georgia, in both of which states some branches of 
his father's family were settled. But by the advice of Prof. Kemp, of 
Columbia College, to whom he had a letter of introduction, and Mr. 
Eobert Gosman, he was induced to remain in the north. He came to 
Newburgh in 1810, simply to visit the Rev. Mr. Scrimgeom-, pastor of 
the Associate Reformed church, and an old friend of his mother, but 



* Abraham Schultz married Sarah Smith Howell, of Blagg's Clove, and had ten children 

SIX of whom died young. Those surviving were : 1. Abraham H., a physician in Florida, 

Orange county ; 2. Fanny H., married William S. Woodhull; 3. Joanna, married Doctor 

. xT*^" ,I?^'J '• •*• '^^^y ^•' married Isaac S. White, son of Judge Nathan White. He died 

at New Windsor, Mav 18, 1830. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 395 



mth no intention of remaining here. Here, however, he was induced 
to settle, and here he spent much the largest portion of his life. He 
soon found employment, and until 1825 was largely engaged in busi- 
ness as a builder. In the year just named he became a partner in the 
firm of Law, Bevridge & Co. — afterwards and more widely known as 
J. Bevridge & Co. — in which he continued until his death in 1854. 

Mr. Forsyth was a man of singiilarly robust frame, and for many 
years his life was one of great activity. He was a man of presence, — 
one of those whose face and form would arrest the attention of a 
stranger, and his mental and moral qualities were accordant with the 
impression thus made. He was a wise counselor, and there were few 
men whose advice was more sought by persons of all classes; and none 
who knew him could doubt his unbending rectitude, his large heart- 
edness, or his rare sagacity. He was for years a director in the Bank 
of Ncwburgh, and a trustee of the Academy. He had a good deal to 
do with the establishment of the Newbtu'gh Steam MUls — of which 
company he was president — and of the Branch railroad. Indeed to 
every public improvement he was ready to lend a helping hand. 

From early manhood, Mr. Forsyth was an exemplary christian, and 
was long a itding elder in the Associate Reformed church. Cathohc 
in spuit, he was yet warmly attached to liis own denomination, and 
was widely known in it as one of its most zealous and generous mem- 
bers. He was twice married, viz: 1. To Jane, oldest daughter of John 
Cunie, who settled in Newburgh in 1802; 2. To Anna Jane, youngest 
daughter of John Brown. His children (there were none by the 
second marriage) were: 1. John, 2. Robei-t A., 3. James C. 



THE CRAWFORD FAMILY. 

There are several branches of the Crawford family in this counti-y, 
all of Irish origin, and all more or less remotely connected. The 
Newburgh family of that name, are the descendants of James Craw- 
ford, who came to America in 1718. He settled at Little Britain, in 
this county, soon after the Clinton immigrants located there. His 
children were : David, who succeeded to the homestead farm, and had 
Francis, for many years a resident of Newbui'gh; Mary, who married 
John Van Arsdale; Jane, who married James Denniston; and James, 
who settled in what is now the town of Crawford.* 

Fkancis Cka-wfobd, oldest son 
of David, remained on the bonie- 
st ^ stead at Little Britain until 180G, 

> /^^^ ^-f^ ^^"^^^^^ j^L — ' ^^^^" ^^^ removed to Newburgh 

^"^^^''^^^^^^^ ^ '^■-' and entered into the mercantile 

Ar and freighting business \vith John 

^ Harris. He retired from the trade 

Biker's Annals of Newtown, 307. Eager's Orange County, 271, 332. 




396 



mSTORY OF NEW BUB GH. 



in 1810, but reentered it in 1817, and continued in it until his death, 23d of April, 1829, 
in the 67th year of his age. " Tliere were traits in his character well deserving notice 
and imitation. From the; uniform tenor of his conduct through life, it is believed that he 
lived and died without a single personal enemy. Blessed with a natural temper almost 
peculiar to himself — an utter stranger to petulance, passion, and the inordinate love of 
gain, he was the same man under all circumstances; no one was ever wounded by his 
tongue, or made the victim of his avarice. He received the bounties of Providence as 
they were Vjestowed, and reaped the benefits of his prudence and industry, and thereby 
secured to himself and to his associates in business, the universal confidence of the public, 
and the esteem and admiration of inniimerable friends. In short, he Hved as a man should 
live, in relation to his felluw-man; and he died as a man should die, in relation to his God 
and his Redeemer. 

-"'Tis only noble to be good; 



Kind hearts are more than coronets, 
And sim]3le faith than Norman blood.''* 

Francis Crawford was thrice married — first, to Eunice Watkins, by 
whom he had: 1. Samuel; 2. Thomas; 3. David; 4. James. Mrs. 
Eunice Crawford died in 1791, in her 28th year. Second, to Lydia, 
daughter of Jeduthan Belknap, Dec. 1, 1792. Third, to Fanny Den- 
uiston (widow of Capt. Isaacs), born Jan. 20, 1780, died Feb. 26, 
1829. His sons, David and James, came to Newburgh with him in 
1806, and were his associates in his business until 1810. James after- 
wards opened the Mansion House, of which he was for several years 
the proprietor. He married Elizabeth Munson, who, after his death 
married John Farnam. David continued with his father, and at his 
death received the principal portion of his estate. 

David Ceawfokd was born at Little Britain, 
about the year 1788, — the precise date cannot now 
be ascertained, in consequence of the destruction 
of the family records by fire. He received such 
educational advantages as the country schools at 
that time afforded, and, in 1806, entered the store 
of his father as clerk. In 1810, he was appointed 
deputy sheriff of Orange county, and discharged 
the duties of that office for about one year. When 
the war of 1812 broke out, he pi-omptly responded 
to the call of congress for volunteers, and raised 
a company of artillery, of which he was elected 
captain, in which capacity he served for about one 
year, when he received a commission in the army 
of the United States, and remained in the service 
until the close of the war in 1815. He reentered the mercantile and forwading business 
with his father in 1817, and prosecuted it until 1851. He died July 23, 1856. 

As a citizen, Mr. Crawford was highly esteemed, and for several years held positions of 
honor and trust. His integrity was undoubted, and throughout his long business career 
his reputation was unsullied. Always ready to lend a helping hand to others, there are 
those among our citizens who can look back with grateful remembrance to the kindly aid 
which he rendered to them when assistance was needed. In his business and social inter- 
course he was especially affable and agreeable ; the sun-hght of a perpetually happy dis- 
position appeared to be his. The Yorick of a thousand jests, his genial humor was irresis- 
tible, and would chase the clouds away from the grave.st face. He was mmsually well- 

At one time in his life he had a decided passion for this 




informed in dramatic literature. 



* \ewburgh Telegraph, April 23, 1829. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



397 



kind of reading. With the plays of Shakspeare he was very familiar, and could recall 
their scenes, characters, and many of their choice passages, at will. His love for children 
was another characteristic ; he deUghted in their presence, sympathized in their amuse- 
ments, and always seemed to enter into the spirit of their frolics. In a word, he was a 
patriotic, honest, kind-hearted gentleman, and an excellent citizen. 

David Crawford .married Fanny C, daughter of Isaac Belknap, 

May 15, 1822, and had: 1. Isaac B. (died young); 2. Mary EKzabeth, 

married Sands McCamly, Aug. 6, 1844, died July 8, 1845, leaving 

Mary E. C. McCamly; 3. James Thomas (died young); 4. Anna (now 

deceased), married Richard A. South wick, Oct. 11, 1849, had Fanny 

C, Anna C, and Florence. 



THE MAILLER FAMILY. 

John Mailler, or Mailard, the ancestor of this family, emigrated 
frorn Scotland soon after the Revolution; he resided for a few years 
in New York and in Westchester county, and then settled perma- 
nently in the town of Cornwall, Orange County. His children were 
James, George, John, William, Bartholomew, Jane, Mary, and Sarah. 
Bartholomew maiTied JuHa, daughter of Samuel Ketcham, of Corn- 
wall, and had one child, William Ketcham Mailler. 

William K. Mailler was born in the town 
of Cornwall, Aug. 17, 180.5. At the age of 18 
years, he came to Newburgh and entered the 
service of Francis Crawford & Co. His busi- 
ness habits and sound judgment soon render- 
ed him a desirable acquisition to the firm and, 
in 1827, he became one of its members under 
the title of F. & D. Crawford & Co. From 
that time until 1864, he remained a principal in 
the forwarding trade, ana shared largely in the 
fluctuations to which it was subjected. In pri- 
vate as well as in public life, Mr. Mailler was 
^ plain and unassuming. Liberal in his chari- 
ties, kind in the discharge of his parental du- 
ties, and cheerful in the social circle, he left 
Ian example worthy of imitation. He died in 
1 1864. Mr. Mailler married Hannah P., daugh- 
ter of Jacob Oakley, of Coldenham, June 1, 
1830, and had twelve children, all of whom 
died in infancy except William O., born May 26, 1831, married (1859) Antoinette W. Conk- 
ling ; Mary Hannah, born Nov. 27, 1834, married Moses Cook Belknap, June 16, 1857, died 
May 31, 1858 ; and John D., born June 9, 1845. 




OAKLEY FAMILY. 

Samuel Oakley, the immediate ancestor of the Newburgh family of 
that name, was a native of Huntington, L. I. He removed to Orange 
county about 178G, and settled at Goshen, where he married Abigail, 
daughter of Timothy Wood; and, after her death, Rebecca Ralph. 
His children were: 1. Timothy; 2. Jacob; 3. Richard; 4. Moses; 5. 



398 HISTORY OF NEWBVRGIL 

Solomon; 6. Aaron; 7. Abigail; 8. Keziah; 9. Patience; 10. Susanna; 
11. Pliebe; 12. Hannah; 13. Jesse. Jacob (1) married Susanna, 
daughter of Daniel Haines, of Montgomery, and settled at Colden- 
ham, where he pursued the occupation of a tanner and currier, as well 
as that of farmer. His children were: 1. Jackson, .who married Abigail 
Logan; 2. Wilham C, who married Phebe Carman; 3. David H., who 
man-ied Phebe Baxter; 4. Abigail W., who mamed John McClelland; 
5. Jacob, who married Sarah J. Austin; 6. Hannah P., who married 
William K. Mailler; 7. Richard, who died unmarried; 8. Samuel, who 
manied Emily Williams; 9. Zophar; 10. Susan, who married John Dales 
— of whom Jackson (1) was for several years of the firm of Oakley & 
Davis in the mercantile and forwarding trade at the foot of Fourth 
street. Samuel (8) was also in mercantile business. Through its 
male as well as its female branches the family has had honorable rep- 
resentation in the history of Newburgh for nearly half a century. 



THE DOWNING FAMILY. 

Samuel Downing, the founder of the Newbui'gh family of that name, 
was of English ancestry. He was born in the year 1761; learned the 
trade of carriage-makei*, and removed fi'om Cambridge, Mass., to New- 
burgh, and from thence to Montgomery, intending to pursue his avo- 
cation there. Failing in securing a satisfactory place of settlement in 
Montgomeiy, he returned to Newburgh, where he established, on the 
north-east corner of Broad and Liberty streets, about the commence- 
ment of the present century, a shop for the manu^facture of wagons 
and carriages.* While yet in the early stages of this undertaking, 
failing health led him to engage in the more healthful business of 
market gardening and nursery, which he planted on the property ad- 
joining his shop. As early as 1810, he offered for sale trees engrafted 
and innoculated, including apples, pears, peaches, apricots, cherries, 
etc. Although not the first to engage in this avocation in the present 
county of Orange,| he was the first to conduct it so successfully as to 
secure its continuance. He died Nov. 1, 1822, aged 61 years; and his 
wife, Eunice, died October 29, 1838, aged 65 years. He had five chil- 
dren, viz: 1. EmUy, born Jan. 24, 1801, maiTied Sylvester Ferry, died 
March 11, 1864, had four children — Frances Emily (mamed Lewis 
W. Gardiner), George J., John Milton, and Edward; 2. Charles, born 
July 9, 1802, married Mary Wait; 3. George W., born Feb. 22, 1804, 

* Ante p. 209. 

t John Conkling established the first nurserv of record, at Bethlehem, (Cornwall), in 
1794. It was afterwards continued by Noah Townsend (1803). The following advertise- 
ment of the former is from the C4oshen Repository: 

" John Conkling, four miles from New Windsor landing, on the Goshen road, has several 
thousand apple trees in his nursery for sale, now large enough for planting. * * Those 
who wish to have any of the above trees may inquire for David Conkling, who will give 
good attendance. Sept. 12, 1794." 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 399 



died April 5, 1846, married Antoinette Starr and had three children — 
Charles, Oliver StaiT, and Mary M. ; 4. Fanny, died in infancy; 5. 
Andrew J., born Oct. 31, 1815, married Caroline E. DeWint, June 7, 
1838, died without issue July 28, 1852. 

Charles Downing (2) and Andrew J. Downing (5) succeeded their father, and to them 
more than to any other persons is due the changing and renewing of the whole system of 
fruits not only in this part of the country, but throughout the nation. While drawing much 
of his practical knowledge from his brother, Andrew J. Downing may be regarded as the 
father of American landscape gardening. His first hterary work, ' ' Landscape Gardening," 
gave him rank among the most distinguished writers of the age, and in his subsequent 
"Cottage Residences," "Architecture of Country Homes," and "Fruit and Fruit Trees 
of America," as well as in the " Horticulturist," of which he was the editor, he secured a 
reputation which was not confined to the country of his nativity. "The results of his 
toil," says his biographer, "appear in the forests which he preserved from the merciless 
axe — in the trees which he described and made contribute more abundantly to the taste 
and comfort of their proprietors— in the avenues which he adorned— in the lawns and 
pleasure grounds which he laid out and embellished, and in numberless buildings which 
stand as monuments to his architectural skill." No more fitting memorial of his life-work 
could be written than the sentence from his o^vn pen : " Angry volumes of politics have 
we written none, but only peaceful books, humbly aiming to weave something more into 
the fair garland of the beautiful and useful that encircles this excellent old Earth." His 
useful life ended in the burning of the steamer Henry Clay near Yonkers, July 28, 1852. 
Charles Downing continued the nursery business until 1856, though not as the successor 
of his brother, whose nursery passed into the hands of Andrew Saul.* 



THE LUDLOW FAMILY. 

The record of the Ludlow family of Newburgh dates back to Wm. 
Ludlow, a gentleman of the reign of Edward the Third (1350). After 
intermediate descendants: (2) William Ludlow; (3) George Ludlow; 
(4) Sir Edmund Ludlow; (6) Edmund Ludlow, the regicide; and 
from the latter branch: (7) Gabriel Ludlow; (8) Gabriel Ludlow; 
(9) Gabriel Ludlow; (10) Gabriel Ludlow; (11) Gabriel Ludlow; 
(12) Robert Ludlow. The family was dispersed under the reign of 
Cromwell. Edmund Ludlow was active in effecting the overthi-ow of 
the first Charles ; was one of the judges who sentenced that sovereign 
to death,f and acquired high renown as a soldier and orator in the 
civil stmggle of that period. He opposed, however, the aspirations 
of CromweU to the protectorate; and failing in this, was compelled 
to submit to virtual banishment, and took up his residence at Vevay, 
in Switzerland, where he died in 1693. Gabriel Ludlow, his son, 
arrived in New York in 1694, and married, in 1697, Sarah Hanmer, 

* After retiring from the nursery business, Charles continued the investigation of fruits 
by obtaining trees and grafts of new varieties, to prove their nomenclature, quality, etc., 
until the past few years, when he sold his experimental grounds, but still continued his 
interest in Pomology. In the meantime he has twice revised his brother's work on Fruit 
and Fruit Trees, first in 1867 and again in 1869. Since the last revision he has added two 
Appendixes, containing new fruits, corrections, etc., making the whole work twice the 
original size. 

t This act gained for the judges the title of regicides. After the restoration of Charles 
II, several of these judges were arrested and suffered death, while others fled for safety. 
Goffe, Whaley, and Dixwell, came to America and secreted themselves at New Haven, Ct., 
where they subsequently died. 



400 



HISTORY OF NEWBUBGH. 



daughter of the first Episcopal clergyman of that city, and a lineal 
descendant from Sir David Hanmer, one of the justices of the court 
of the king's bench in the reign of Edwa.rd II. Gabriel Ludlow, his 
son, was born in New York and there mamed Elizabeth Cromeline, 
daughter of Daniel Cromeline, one of the proprietors of the Wawa- 
yanda patent. Their son was Robert Ludlow. 

RoBEHT Ludlow married Elizabeth Conkling. He removed from New York to the town 
of Warwick, on the Wawayanda patent, and after spending a few j'ears there, became a 
resident of Newburgh in 1796. It was his intention to open here a mercantile business, 
and for that purpose erected a store ; but before his plans were matured he fell a victim 
to consumption (Oct. 2, 1798,) in the vigorous years of manhood. He left children : 1. 
Charles, 2. Robert C, 3. Augustus C, 4. Mary, 5. Nancy, 6. Betsey, and 7. Francis. His 
wife, Elizabeth, married second Robert W. Jones, and had one son, Lieut. Robt. W. Jones 
of the U. S. navy-died in 1857. She died July 21, 1829. 

Charles Ludlow (1), the oldest son of Robert Ludlow, was enrolled a midshipman of 
the U. S. navy in May, 1795, and passed through the different grades of his profession with 
honor until he attained the rank of captain, when, in consequence of the advancement of 
an officer of lower grade over him. he resigned his comhiission and retired to private life. 
He married (Aug. 5, 1811,) Margaret Thornton Mackaness, and settled in the town of New 
Windsor, where he died leaving one daughter, now Mrs. Thos. W. Chrystie. 

Robert C. Ludlow (2), the second son, was born in Warwck in 1787. He was engaged 
for some years in mercantile pursuits in New York, but the yellow fever robbed him of his 
senior partner, and the house was broken up. The country was engaged at that time 
in the second war with Great Britain, and he applied for and obtained the post of purser 
in the navy. It was his good fortune to be associated with his per^^onal friend Captain 
Bainbridge, on board of the frigate Constitution, and to participate in the brilliant action, 
the capture of the British frigate Java. He remained in thc^ navy until his death in 1826. 
He married a Miss Wethered, of Sovith Carolina, and had William B., Augustus, Robert 
C, and Mary, all of whom are now dead except the latter, who mr.rried a Carroll, of Balti- 
more, where she now resides. 

Augustus C. Ludlow (3), the third son of Robert Ludlow, was born in 1792, and 
entered the United States navy in 1804, as midshipman, under the immediate guardian- 
ship of his senior brother Charles, and criiised in the Mediterranean for three years on 
board the frigate President, under command of Commodore S. Barron. He was subse- 
quently transferred to the Constitution, where he was raised to the post of lieutenant. 
From the Constitution he was transferred to the Hornet; and from the latter vessel to the 
Chesapeake, where he was raised to the post of first Heutenant under Captain Lawrence. 
The fate of the Chesapeake and her noble captain, was the fate of Lieut. Ludlow. In the 
early part of the engagement he was severely wounded and carried below; but scarcely 
had he been removed when Lawrence fell mortally wounded, and as he was borne to the 
cabin, Ludlow heard his dying command, " Don't give up the ship !" and springing from 
his seat with his wounds half dressed, he rushed on deck and plunged into the thickest of 
the contlict. The struggle was desperate, but in vain. A sabre cut from one of his foes 
laid him senseless; and the " stars and stripes " were stricken down by the victors' right. 
The Chesapeake was taken to Halifax. Here the remains of the gallant Lawrence were 
buried with military and naval honors. The twice- wounded Ludlow, after being trephined 
in Halifax, so far rallied on the day of his commander's funeral, that no solicitations 
could detain him from rendering the last homage to his friend, and he followed the hearse 
—a silent, solitary mourner. The effort was too great, and on his return to his room he 
was seized with a delirious fever which closed his mortal career on the 1.3th of June, 1813, 
at the age of 21 years. On learning their fate, the citizens of Salem, Mass., forwarded a 
flag of truce to Hahfax and procured the bodies of Lawrence and Ludlow, and tliey were 
removt^d to that place and from thence to New York where they were consigned to a tomb 
in Trinity church. At the request of the citizens of Salem, Hon. Justice Storey, of the 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 401 



Supreme Court of the United States, delivered an eloquent eulogy on the occasion. Re- 
ferring to Ludlow he said: "He was indeed worthy of the confidence and friendship of 
Lawrence. His soul wus formed for deeds of active valor and martial enterprise. In the 
mild engagements of peace, it softened into the most attractive suavity of manners, and 
wore the most benignant form of honor. In the tumults of war, it glowed with an ambi- 
tion for naval excellence, which electrized every movement and awakened the whole en- 
ergies of his genius." 

No merit is claimed for the Ludlows from their long Une of noble ancestry ; but Ameri- 
can history bears a record of their services Avhich admits of no denial of their title to the 
rank of noble men. 

—Mary (4), daughter of Robert Ludlow, married Thomas Powell, died Nov. 28, 1867; 
Ann D., (5), married Benjamin Case; Betsey (6), married David Humphreys, died Jan. 22, 
1835; and Frances (7), married Rev. John Brown, D. D., of St. George's church, New- 
burgh, died April 18, 1872. 



THE THOMAS POWELL FAMILY. 

This family descended from Thomas Powell of Wales, Eng., who 
was one of the purchasers and patentees of Huntington, L. I., in 1664. 
On the 18th August, 1695, the same gentleman purchased from 
"Mawmee, alias Serewanus, William Chepy, and all ye rest of ye 
Indian proprietors," for and in consideration of £140, the tract of 
land whereon the village of Bethpage is now situated.* This Thomas 
had a son Thomas,, who was probably the father of Henry Powell 
(born in 1741), the immediate ancestor of the Newbui-gh branch of 
the family. 

Heney Powell inherited a large portion of the estate acquired by his father, which 
he enjoyed until the British forces obtained possession of Long Island, when he was sub- 
jected to the tyranny and persecution so mercilessly exercised at that time by the minions 
of the EngUsh government. At the commencement of the struggle for Independence, he 
took an active part in the cause of his country, and was soon selected as a victim for sac- 
rifice at the royal altar. Flattery, promises, and threats, were successively employed to 
secure his influence for the king; and when these failed, his estate was confiscated and 
his person incarcerated in the Jersey prison ship, from which he was subsequently removed 
to the old Sugar House. The suflferings endured by the patriots who were confined in 
those prisons will never be fully told. Ten thousand persons perished within their walls 
by starvation, sickness and ill-treatment; and the number of victims would have been 
largely increased, had not the hand of charity supplied their wants. Among those favored 
in the latter respect was Mr. Powell, whose release or exchange was subsequently effected. 
He returned to Long Island, stripped of all earthly wealth except an unblemished name, 
and succeeded in obtaining a lease of part of Shelter Island, where he resumed the pur- 
suit of agriculture. Here he remained until 1781, when he gathered together the fruits of 
his farm and started, accompanied by his son James, on an ordinary sail-ferry-boat, for 
the New York market. In crossing the channel, a sudden flaw of wind cast the vessel on 
her beams end, sprinkling the waves with men and horses. Mr. Powell succeeded in 
mounting one of his horses while in the water, and, after searching in vain for his son, 
turned his steed towards the shore, but was arrested in his progress by a cry for help, and 
turning saw his boy clinging to the prostrate sail and rapidly floating out to sea with the 
wreck; and in the effort to rescue his offspring, ho perished with him. 

Henry Powell married (1762) Mary Keen, a lady of Irish extrac- 

* Gov. Andros issued a patent to Thomas Powell, and others, purchasers of Huntington, 
in 1664. In 1685, Gov. Dongan issued another patent for part of the same lands, in which 
Thomas Powell, Jr., is named. In 1695, Thomas Powell, Jr., removed to and was one of 
the purchasers of Bethpage.— r/iompso?i's L. I., i, 467, 469, 506. 

026 



402 HISTORY OF NEWBURGH. 



tion, and had: 1. Freelove, who man-ied Jacob Parish and had Henry, 

Mary, James, Nancy, Daniel, Tlionias, Benjamin, Elizabeth, and 

Mai-tha; 2. Jacob, died unman-ied; 3. Thomas; 4. James, di-owned; 

5. Martha, married Benj. Townsend and had Betsey, Maiy, Jacob,* 

Nancy, and Benjamin,; 6. EHza, who married Wilham Seymour.f 

Jacob (2) and Thomas (^ Powell, the former 16 years of age and the latter 12, at the 
tini(i of the death of their father, were alone capable of making any exertionw for the sup- 
port of their widowed nK)ther and her children, and nobly did they struggle for the accom- 
})lishment of this duty. With that energy which ever after distinguished their career, they 
grap])le<l manfully with adversity and triumphed. Jacob was placed at the head of his 
fiithers farm, and, assisted by Thomas, and supjiorted by the counsels of a good mother, 
he succeeded in obtaining a comfortable supjjort for the family iiiitil the expiration of the 
lease. A new home and a new theatre of operations now became necessary. In 1788, in 
company with theii' mother, they removed to the county of Orange, and settled near 
Washingtouville, where their industry led to scmie increase of property. In 1791. they 
removed to Marlborough, Ulster county, where they opened a small store, and erected 
lime kilns, and were again successfully employed. In the spring of 1798, they I'emoved to 
New York, and engaged in n>ercantile business, but. being driven away by yellow fever, 
the succeeding summer, took u]) their resid(aice in Newburgh at the suggestion of their 
brother-in-law, Mr. yeymour. Hero the.y engaged in the mercantile and forwarding trade, 
the former on the south-east corner of Water and Third streets and the latter from a wharf 
immediately east, where they remained until 1813, when they sold to Reeve it Falls. They 
subsequently opened an office in a building which stood on the site of the present Colon- 
nade Row, where they conducted business as private bankers. 

Jacob Powell died in 1823, from a cancer on the face. "In relation to this individual," 
says Mr. Eager, "we have the unbroken voice of all who knew him, to justify us in 
saying, that he was not only sagacious and truly philanthropic in the operations of his 
mind, but upright in his connnercial transactions." He died unmarried, in his .58th year, 
and his brother, Thomas, succeeded to his estate. 

Thomas Powell retired from business soon after the death of his brother: but again 
entered active life in 1833-'3-i, and from that time until his death (May 12, 1850, ) he con- 
tributed largely,— by the enterprises in which he engaged, and those which he fostered 
and encouraged, — to the prosperity of the village. .\t a public meeting of citizens held 
May 19, 185fi, called to pay a tribute of respect to his memory, the late Hon. John W. 
Brown remarked: "In a public nu;eting of his neighbors and townsmen, it were idle to 
speak of his public spirit, and tht' uses he made of his wealth during the last twenty-five 
years of his life. How he a])plied it, and what he did with it, is fresh in the recollection of 
us all. It is sufti<-ient to say. that whatever measure of activity pervades our public 
streets, our worksiiops, our wharves and places of business, we owe to the prompt and 
intelligent interposition of Mr, Powell's wealth and credit between us and the legitimate 
results of great public improx-ements \\hicli threatened to dry up the sources of our pros- 
perity, and divert tVie streams of our business hito other channels. He was not aUme in 
his exertions to arrest the downward tendency of our prosperity. There were others, and 
especially one other, whose efforts were cons])icuous in the same emergency, and to whom 
the citizens of Newburgh owe a debt of gratitude which it will be difficult to pay." The 
ref(«rence by the speaker was to Mr. Powell's (bourse, and that of his son-in-law, Mr. Homer 
Ramsdell, in coiuKiction with the construction of the Newburgh branch railroad, already 
detailed in another part of this work.t in which the firm of wliich they were the principals 
became responsible, through endorsements, acceptancies, and advances, for $202,219, and 
without which the constniction of the road would have been indefinitely deferred. His 
\isefulne8s was not less conspicuous in the organization of the Powell Bank in 1838, and 
in the estabUshment of the Newburgh Steam Mills in 1844. It was this use of his capital 
and credit for the benetit of the community as well as for that of himself, rather than for 

* Father of George W. Townsend of Newburgh. f Ante p. 377. 

X Ante p. 225, 229. 





/Cyi^i^^i^^i^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 403 



any enterprises which he originated, that will keep his memory green, while that of others 
will wither under the apostrophe — 

" But thou ! what hast thou done with all the powers 
That lavish nature wasted on thy soul?" 

Mr. Powell married Mary, daughter of Robert Ludlow, and had: 1. Henry T., died in 
183i ; 2. Robert L., married Louisa A. Orso, and had Frances E. L., now deceased, Mary 
L. (married Isaac S. Fowler), Henrietta (married Doct. W. A. M. Culbert), and Fanny, 
now deceased ; 3. James A., was drowned in 1828 ; 4. Jacob, died in 1816 ; 5. Frances E. 
L., married Homer Ramsdell. 



THE HOMER RAMSDELL FAMILY. 

Among the early substantial emigrants from England who settled 
in Massachusetts were Joseph RainsdeU (or Ramsden) and his wife 
Martha Bowker, at Plymouth in 1648, and John Stockbridge and his 
wife Anna, at Scituate in 1638. Theii- prior history is not known, nor 
is there record of their pioneer experiences, although it is known that 
they shared in all the vicissitudes of New England life at that period, 
and founded famihes destined to an honorable part in the annals of 
the ('ommunities in which they lived. The descent of the latter is 
traced for this work from Wm. Stockbridge, and that of the former 
from his great-grandson, Joseph Ramsdell (2), who maiTied Maiy 
Homer, at Duxbury, Mass., April 23, 1730, and had ten children — of 
whom Joseph (3) married Ehzabeth Barker, Feb. 1, 1770. He served 
as one of the committee of safety of Hanover, Mass., in 1775 and '76, 
and was in other respects identified with the Revolution. He died 
Aug. 5, 1817. His son, Josej^h (4), born Sept. 10, 1775, married Ruth 
Stockbridge, daughter of "Wm. Stockbridge, of Hanover, Feb. 3, 1800, 
removed to Warren, and had: 1. Josejih, 2. Maiy, 3. Homer — of whom 

Ho»iER Ramsdell (3) was born in Warren, Mass., August 12th, 1810, and was educa- 
ted at Monson Academy. He entered the dry goods trade in New Yoi'k in 1882, and con- 
tinued in that avocation until 1840. In 1844, he became one of the firm of T. Powell 
& Co., and fi'om that time until the present has continued his connection with the mer- 
cantile and forwarding business in Newburgh. He was elected a director of the Erie rail- 
road in 1846, and has held that position since that time, with the exception of the interval 
elapsing between October, 1857, and October, 1866; served as president of the company 
from 1853 to 1857, and in 1876, as receiver. From the date of his association with the firm 
of T. Powell & Co., until Mr. Powell's death, he was very largely the administrator of Mr. 
Powell's fortune, and to him perhaps the connnuuity owe most of the undertakmgs in which 
that firm engaged. No public enterprise has for many years been complete without his aid, 
while those of a private character to which he has been a party have not been limited in 
number or unproductive of general benefit. The history of Newburgh for over a quarter 
of a century has been his histoi-y; its pathway is studded with mementos of his usefulness. 
He married Frances E. L., daughter of Thomas Powell, June 16, 1835, and had: 1. Mary 
L. P., born March 23, 1836, died July 29. 1841 ; 2. Frances J. (married Major George W. 
Rains); 3. Thomas P.; 4. James A. P.; 5. Henry P.; 6. Homer S.; and 7. Leila E. 



REV. JOHN BROWT«f, D. D. 

Rev. John Brown, D. D., was born in the city of New York, May 
19th, 1791. He graduated from Columbia college in 1811; studied 



/ 



404 msTOBY OF XEWBUnGH. 

law under Bisho}) H(ibart and was ordained deacon of the ProtestaJit 
Episcopal church at St. Paul's churc-h. New York, in 1812. At the 
bishop s request, he went to Trinity church, Fislikill, wliich had then 
been without a rector for seventeen years, and reorganized the con- 
<>Te«;ation. at the same time holdinj;' stated services in New-burgh. In 
1815, he was ordained priest by Bishop Hobart. at St. Paul's, New 
York, and during the same year removed to Newburgh, having re- 
ceived and accepted a call to the rectorship of St. George's chui-ch, 
where he preached his inaiigmal sermon, Dec. 24tli, 1815. He also 
reorganized St. Thomas' church, New Windsor; was chosen its rector 
and held that position, dividing his time between the two parishes, 
until 1844. when he lesigned the latter cluu'ge. Diu-ing the eailier 
years of his rec-torship of St. (Tcorge's, he performed a lai'ge amount 
of missionary work in this section of country. In this tield he or- 
iranized St. John's chui'ch at Monticello; Grace chiuch at INIiddle- 
town, and later the ch\u-ches at Cornwall and Maiiborough. He also 
revived the clnu'ch at Goshen, St. Andrew's at Walden, St. Peter's at 
PeekskiU, and St. Philip's at Gjuiisons, holding services at intervals 
in those places until the churches were able to s\ippoi*t a minister. 
Few of the pioneer clergy of the district Avere more zealous or more 
devoted, and none whose labors have been more satisfactory. 

The senices of Dr. Brown in his ow-n parish ai-e stated in ctmnec- 
tion witli its history in another pai-t of this work. In other fields of 
local labor he was for many yeai-s quite active, and notably so as one 
of the trustees of the Newburgh academy and subseqiiently of the 
free schools, as a member of the Horticultiu-al society, chaplain of 
the Masonic fi-aternity, etc. Amid the changes of the many yeai-s of 
his pastorate, \iv has held the parental affection iiud respect of liis 
people as well as of the community. He maiiied Friinces Elizabeth, 
daughter of Robei-t LiiiUow, Nov. 15, 1819. Mi-s. BrowTi lived to 
celebrate the fiftieth jumiversary of her wedding; she died April 18, 
1872, having had issue six children, viz: Mary, who mju-ried Daniel 
T. Rogers; Margaret T. L., who married George W. KeiT*; Augusta 
P., who married Moses Ely; Helen; Anna W., who mai-ried Eugene 
A. Brewster t; John Hobai-t, and Chiules "W. 



* Georgo W. Ken- was horn at Knowltoii Mills (iu>« rauliua) Wanon county, N. J., Feb- 
ruary 15. 1810, and is a lineal descoiulant of Rev. Walter Kerr of Jlonmouth. N. J. His 
parents removed to Ithaea, N. Y.. where he entered the Branch ]>ank of Newlmrgh, and 
on its withdraw al in 1S31. removed to Newlnirgh and accepted a clerkship in the 15ank of 
Newhnr.irh. lu lS8(i he was chosen cashier of that institution, and in ISoi was elected 
its president, a position in which he was retained luider its reorganization in IStU. 

+ Eugene A. Brewster was born in New York city, April 13th, 1827, aiid removed with 

bis parents to Neivhnrgh when he was three years old. Having qualitied himself for tkat 

position, he was appointed teacher in the Newburgh Hi£rh School where he remained two 

N years. Tn 1843. he entered the oflice of the late Hon. John W. Brown : was admitted to 

\ the bar in IS-tS. but rcmaiued in Judge Brown's office until 1850, since which time he has 

occupied a leading position in the profession. 



/ 

/ 



BIOGRAPHWAL f^KETCBEK. 



THR HATHAWAY FAMILY. 

The genealogy of this family is traced fi'om Benjamin Hatheway, 
as the name was formerly written, who came from Scotland, about 
1767, and settled at Morristown, N. J., where he died. His only son, 
Clemens Hathaway, removed to Newburgh, where he died, Sept. 1801, 
aged 56 years and 4 months, and where his wife, Hannah, died June 
8, 1809, aged 56 years and 10 months. Their children were Ebenezer 
and Josiah. The latter was born Dec. 8, 1771, and married, Aug. 13, 
1794, Mabel, a sister of Samuel O. (Iregory. He followed for a few 
years the occupation of cabinet-maker, but afterwards engaged in the 
coasting trade, and commanded the sloop Rejyuhliran, owned by Geo. 
Gardner; was subsequently associated with Caleb Coffin in the same 
trade, and sailed from New York to Washington, N. C, where he died 
July 19, 1811. His wife, Mabel, died at Morris Plains, N. J., July 13, 
1811. His children were: 1. Rhoda, who died in infancy; 2. Frede- 
rick A., born April 1st, 1801, married Fhebe Stackhoiise, and had 
Frederick A., and Stephen S.; 3. Odell Samuel, born Sept. 1, 1802. 

Odei.l iS. Hathaway (3) was bom in New- 
burffh, ati the residence of his fatlier on the cor- 
ner of Smith and Fourth streets. Left an orphan 
at the aj?e of aeven years, he was taken by his 
nncle, Seth (rrcfjory, of Morristown, N. .F.. with 
whom he remained a few years, and attended a 
common school. He then returned to Newburgh 
and entered the store of Sainuol G. Sneden, as 
clerk, in which capacity he served until he attain- 
ed his majority, performing his duties accepta- 
bly " for and in consideration of his board and 
clothes."' After serving his time ho was employ- 
ed by Mr. Sneden until 1824, when ho became a 
partner, and, on the death of Mr. Sneden, in 
183(i, he succeeded to the entire business. He sul)se(iuently served as supervisor of the 
town for twelve or thirteen years, with the exception of one year, consecutively. In 1809, 
he was elected member of assonil)ly and filled the position aciceptahly. For some years 
l)rior to 18(54, he was a direelor of th<' J5ank of Newburgh, and in that year was elected 
president of the Quassaick Bank, serving in that capacity until 187fi, when he resigned. 
■ Mr. Hathaway married Hek^i :\Iaria, daughter of Charles Birdsall, Sept. 27, 1827, and 
had: 1. Amelia M., wlio miuried Nathaniel B. Hayt ; 2. Harriet A., wiio niarried Edward 
H. Tomlinson ; 3. Josiah A., married Julia Darusha, died March 23, 18C)4, aged 32 years ; 
4. Wilham M., who married Sojihia Blake, served as adjutant of litth militia and l(58th 
volunteers in the war of the reljellion, died Feb. 3, 1871, aged .37 years ; .5. Sarali S., mar- 
ried James E. Horton ; (j. Odell S., married Susan F. Bradner ; 7. Charles C ; 8. Hiram 
F. ; i). Helen M., married Edward Low, died Sept. 1!). 1875: 10. Edward M. 




THE FARRINGTON FAMILY. 

Edmund Farrington, the anc^estor of the Newburgh family of that 
name, emigrated fi-om Southampton, Eng., and settled in Lynn, Mass., 
sometime prior to 1()40 ; fi-om thence he removed with others to Cow 
Bay, L. I., where a settlement was commenced but socni after broken 



406 mSTORY OF NEWBUROH.. 

up by the Dutch fyovernor of New Netherland. He then returned to 
Lynn, and (1655) built a mill there, and dug a pond and opened a 
brook for a half mile, called Farrington brook. He died in 1680, 
aoed 88 years. His sons, Thomas and Edmund, removed to Flush- 
ing, L. I., fr-oni whence Thomas remolded to Westchester county, where 
he has descendants. His oldest son remained in Lyim, and was the 
grandfather of Daniel Farringion, born in Lynn in 1765, and died in 
Newbm'gli in 1813, in his 48tli year, leaving issue by his wife, Rachel 
Ward (died in New York in 1864, aged 97 years) : 1. Sarah; 2. Daniel; 
3. Ebenezer Ward; 4. Ezra; 5. Susan; 6. Mary; 7. Rachel; 8. John; 
9. Theophilus. 

Sarau Faurington (1), born in Windsor, Vt., Oct. 20, 1791 ; married William S. Libbey* 
and had Mehitable, Rachel, Maria, Ann, Jane, Sarah, William S., and Elizabeth. She died 
June 20, 182(i. 

Daniel Farkinhton (2) was horn in Salem, Mass., July 6, 1793; removed to Newburp;h 
about 1811, where he died Nov. 17, 1861. He married first, Elizabeth T. Tate (born Nov. 
17, 1791, died Aug. 8, 1824,) and had Rachel W., Ezra, and Elizabeth Jane, all of whom 
died young, and Thomas T.f and Daniel. His second wife was Eva Miller (born Aug. 21, 
1794, died April 15, 1870,) by whom he had Ezra, if Ebenezer, Rachel (married Rev. J. K. 
Milliken), Mary, John M., and Joseph. He was a painter by trade and conducted that 
business in Newbur.ffh for nearly fifty years, during wliieh time he was a liberal patron of 
the various public enterprises which were undertalven,§ and commanded the confidence of 
his contemporaries. 

Ebenezer W. PakrinctTON (.3) was born in Salem, Mass., in 1796. He was a brewer 
and had a small malt-house in Boston, from whence he removed to Newburgh, where he be- 
came a member of the firm of Law, Bevridge & Co., and subsequently served as president 
of the Quassaiclv Bank, president of tlie Board of Trustees, etc. He was a worthy citizen 
and a liberal and hcmorable man. He married Ehzabeth, daughter of James Bevridge, 
and had James B. (married Susan M. Carpenter, of Havana, Schuyler co. ), Elizabeth, 
Rachel W., Mary L., Ebenezer W. (drowned, 1838), John B. (married Mary A. S., daugh- 
ter of John McCroskeryll), died in 1869. He died in 1868. 

Ezra Fabkinqton (4) , removed South ; died unmarried. 

Susan Faerinc.ton (5) married George Gray and had George, Daniel, Ward. Mary, 
Catharine, and Sarah. 

* Mr. Libbey was a native of New Hanipshire, and a carpenter and builder by occupa- 
tion. He died in 1869, aged 83 years. His son, William S., is now of the firm "of Hilton 
& Libbey, successors to Alexander T. Stewart, New York. 

t Rev. Thomas T. Farringtou was born in Newburgh, March 21, 1821. He received a 
dassical education at Union College, and afterwards entered the Theological Seminary at 
Newburgh, where he completed his preparation tor the ministry. After leaving the latter 
mstitiition, he filled three pastx)rates successively, viz: at Geneva, Salem (Washington co.), 
and Oxbow. In the summer of 1864 he accepted the pastorate of the Associate Reformed 
church ot Newburgh, and continued in that relation until Juno 5th, 1875, when he died 
almost mstantly from disease of the heart. He married Mary M. Wilkin, of Hampton- 
burgh, and left six children. 

it Ezra Farringtou was born April 4, 182(), and died of disease of the heart. Feb. 25,1875. 
He was lor several years associated with his fathei- in business, and subsequently (in com- 
pany with his brother Daniel) became his successor. He was an active meniber of the 
ri^nibhcan party, and was repeatedly the recipient of honors from his poHtical friends. In 
addition to minor local positions, lie filled the office of postmaster from 1861 to 1866. and 
trom l8bJ uutiJ lus death. He married Margaret Casteriine and left five children. 

§ Ante p. 227, 229, 238, 267. 

II John McCroskery was a native of Ireland. He left the place of his birth in 1813, at 
tue age ot 14 years. When within a few hours sad of New York, the vessel on which he 
was a i)assengor was captured by a British cruiser and taken toHaUfax, where he remained 
about two years when he came to Newburgh. He married here Catharine Shields, and 
naa Mary a. S., who married John B. Farrington ; Agnes E., now deceased, and John J. 
S., now mayor of the city and cashier of the Bank of Newburgh. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 407 



Maby Fakrington (6) married Peter Amerman and had Newton, Lander, and Mary. 

Rachel Fakrington (7) married first, James Law, and second, Benjamin Lander,* by 
whom she had Hannah, and Sarah (married Beuj. H. Mace). She died Feb. 23, 1838. 

John Farrington (8) married and settled in New York. 

Theophilus Farrington (9) married Eliza, daughter of Derick Amerman ; settled in 
Indianapolis, Indiana. 



* SAMUEL LOGAN FAMILY. 

Samuel Logan, presumed to have been born in Ireland, was a cor- 
poral in the 80tli regiment of the English army in the French and 
Indian war of 1755-'59, and received as a bounty for his services a 
tract of two hundred acres of land in the present town of Charlotte, 
Vt. He settled in New Windsor prior to the war of the Revolution, 
and at the outbreak of that war was appointed captain of a company 
of minute men. On the 26tli of July, 1776, he was commissioned 
major in Col. Lewis DuBois' regiment in the continental service, and 
in October, 1777, was taken prisoner at Fort Montgomery. He was 
released by exchange, Dec. 21, 1780, having remained a prisoner of 
war over three years. He returned to his regiment (then the 5th 
New York) and remained on duty until the end of the war, when he 
became entitled to half-pay for hfe. He was one of the original 
members of the Society of Cincinnati ;f was a hatter by trade, and 
followed that avocation in New Windsor for many years. He married 
Abigail Clark of C/OrnwaU, and had: 

1. Susan, who married Nathaniel Hubbard and had Mary, Susan, 
Nathaniel, and Walter. 

2. Harriet, who married Jonathan Kniifen of New Windsor (Jan. 
12, 1805), and had Algnor, Edward, Samuel, Frederick, Henrietta, 
Mary, and Sally. 

8. Abigail, who married John Walsh (brother of WilUam and Henry 
Walsh), and had: 1. Wilham M., who had Maiy, Juha, Harriet, Wil- 
liam, and John; 2. Jonathan C, who had John, Charles, and Wallace; 
3. Harriet, who married Thomas Shaw; 4. Mary; 5. Jane, who mar- 
ried Thomas Shaw; 6. Hiram, and 7. Isaac, who died unmanned. 

4. Betsey, who married Thomas Nicholson. 

5. PoUy, who married Thomas Nicholson. 

6. James, who married Mary Rogers and had: 1. Samuel R.,| who 
married Sally Andrews and had Maxy H., who married Peter Ward;§ 



* Mr. Lander was for several years associated with Daniel Farrington under the firm of 
Farrington & Lander. He was a native of Massachusetts, and is spoken of as a man of 
sterlmg integrity. He died in 1839, aged 41 years. 

t By descent this membership is now in James J. Logan of Newburgh. 

i Samuel R. Logan was captain of the steamboat Providence, of Oakley & Davis' line, 
1833 and part of 1834. He died in the early part f)f the latter year. 

Si Peter Ward was born in Raniapo, Rockland county, Sept. 30, 1827, and flnislied his 
ediication in Goshen. He commenced Hfe as a conductor on the Erie railroad in 1843 ; 
subsv^quently served as civil engineer, and from 1851 to 1859 was superintendent of the New- 
burgh branch. In 1859 he beeamcf one of the firm of Ward & Leonard (now Ward & Logan. ) 



408 mSTORY OF NEWBURGH. 

James J., who married Mtxiy E., daughter of Georcje Mecklem, and 
thrc^e children who died in infancy; 2. Ahip^ail, who married Jackson 
Oakley; 3. Cornelia, married Aaron Dezendorf; 4. Caroline, married 
John H. Lane of Canterbiu'v; 5. Elizabeth, who died unmarried; (5. 
Edward H., died unmiu-ried; 7. Jiilia Ann, married Nicholas Wilson. 
He resided in New ^^'indsor, and was accidentally di-owned in 1833. 

7. Samuel M., who married Julia allock and had: 1. Betsey, who 
mai'ried Lindsey Sherwood and had Georj^e L. ; Julia E., manied 
Stephen Bixlvcr; Adtilaide. married Michael Fitchey; Msu-y, married 
Thomas Brush; Jane; Eui^enp; Catharine, and Hiu-riet; 2. DeWitt; 
3. Martha, nuu-ried a jMiuray; 4. Jane; 5. Nancy. 

8. William, umnaiiied. 



THE WALSH BROTHERS. 

Thomas, Jolm, AVilliam, Henry, and Michael Walsh* were the sons 
of IMichael Walsh, jin immigrant from Ireland and a resident of New 
Windsor, from whence Tlu)mas removed to Great Bend, Pa., and 
William and Heni-y to Newburgh about the commencement of the 
present centtuy. The childreai of Thomas have not been asceriained. 
John was a blacksmith in New Windsor. He married Abigail Logan 
and had: 1. Hairiet, married Thos. Shaw; 2. Maiy Ann; 3. Hii-am; 
4. Isaac; 5. Jane, married Thos. Shaw; (>. Jonathan B. ; 7. William M. 

AVilliam was one of the early merchants of Newburgh ; was tor many 
years supervisor of the town, iind for twenty yeai's president of the 
Bank of Newburgli. He erected the building now on the south-west 
coi-ner of Water and Thii-d streets, where he kept liis store and liis 
residence until he retii*ed from mercantile business, when he pur- 
chased the Betts homestead, on Montgomery street, neai- Fii-st, where 
he resided until his eleatli. He was born Jan. 7th, 17G3, ajid liied Nov. 
2d, 1839. His wife, Mjut daughter of Joseph Morrell, was born Jan. 
7th, 1784, tmd died March 24, 18G(5. Their childi-en were: 1. Joseph 
Morrell, born Miuvh 13, 1802, died Dec. 3d, 1838; 2. Mai'gai*et, born 
J\me 25th, 1805, died Aug. 1st, 1849; mariied E. Crosby, of Fishkill ; 
3. William Hemy, born July 25th, 1807, mai-ried Ann Tousey; 4. 
Albert, born Dei-. 1st, 1810, died Mai'ch 31, 1857; 5. Chaiies, born 
April 28th, 1813, married :\leHsse Ann Halstead; fi. Mary Aim, born 
Jime 28, 1815, mimied WilUam Wells; 7. Edward Le^ris, born Nov. 
8, 1817; 8. John Jolmston (now the Rev. John J. Walsh), born April 
4th, 1820, inaii-ied Emma Brett; 9. Norman Andi'ews (twin brother 
of John J.), died July 2G, 1840; 10. Saxah Ehzabeth, born June 16, 
1827, married James Bull. 



•< The oi>ipnal name is said to have been Welch, and that William was the tirst to charge 
the orthogi^phy. William and his brother Heurv kept stores on opposite sides of the 
street; the former had Walsh painted on his sign and the latt*n- Welch. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 409 



Henry commenced business in Newburgh, in 1798, as a maker and 
dealer in boots and shoes. He married Mehitable Bull, and had: 1. 
Julia Ann, mairied a WeUs; 2. Mehitable; 8. Abraham (married 
Rachel Ann Simmons); 4. James; 5. Thomas (now Doct. Thomas of 
Port Jervis); 6. George Augustus; 7. Robert. 

Michael marned a daughter of William Sayre, of New Windsor, 
and had: 1. Harriet; 2. MaiT- 



SHAWS OF NEWBURGH AND NEW WINDSOR. 

Thomas and John Shaw (brothers) came from Ireland in 1790 and 
settled in New Windsor, Thomas had two sons, Thomas, Jr., born in 
1799, and Robert, born in 1803. Thomas, Jr., married first, Eleanor 
Burnett and had Crawford. He manned, second, Harriet, daughter 
of John Walsh and granddaughter of Samuel Logan, and had: I.- 
George W., born July 31, 1824, married Rhoda B. Alexander and had 
Thomas, Mary, Catharine, Charles B., Jennie S., and Harry; 2. Charles 
B., man-ied Henrietta Roderman and had Hem7 Berry, and Maria 
Bradley; 8. Elkanah K., married Elizabeth McCoun. He married, 
third, Jane, daughter of John Walsh. He removed to Newburgh in 
1832, where, after conducting for several years the business of an 
architect and builder, he was the founder, in 1852, of the firm of 
Thos. Shaw & Sons. His son, Elkanah K., has served as an alderman, 
and as a water commissioner, of the city, and has given evidences of 
his architectural skiU in the plans for the Union Presbyterian church 
edifice, the Grand street j^ublic school buUding, the house of fire com- 
panies No's. 2 and 5, and in many private residences. 

Robert Shaw (brother to Thomas, Jr.,) married and had Samuel B., 
who married Mary Jane Mackimson; and Mary Ellen, who married 
Charles J. Griggs. 

John Shaw (brother to Thomas, senr.,) married and had 1. Thomas 
G., who man'ied Betsey Kemochan and had Margaret, Maria, John, 
Mary Elizabeth, and Sarah; 2. James, who married Eliza Burnett, 
without issue ; 3. Margaret, who married A ndrew Kemochan and had 
Joseph; 4. Mary, who married James McCartney and had George, 
John, Robert, James, Elizabeth (married James Finlay), and Jane 
Ann (married Samuel Clelland, Jr. ) 



WARD M. GAZLAY. 

Ward M. Gazlay is said to have been a native of Pennsylvania. Hq 
purchased, at Goshen, in 1804, a paper called the Friend of TrutJi, 
and changed the title to the Orange Eagle. His establishment was 
burned soon after and his paper discontinued. In 1806, he came to 
Newburgh and purchased the Recorder' of the Times, the title of which 



410 



mSTOBT OF NEWBVBGH: 



he chaiif^ed to the Political Index, which he continued until 1829. In 
additiou to his editorial duties, he tilled the office of justice of the 
peace, and won reputation for probity and inipai*tiality. As an editor 
he was neither ambitious or iudustiious; he wrote little beyond brief 
local notes, although his paper had some chai-acter tkrough the con- 
tributions of Jonathan and Theodore Fisk. His personal appearance 
was not prepossessing. His statui-e was under medium size; shoul- 
dei-s and fi-anie broad and thin; caii-iage ungainly, and gait shuffling; 
but these exterior aspects were compensated by a heart gioTsing with 
chaiity, and an independence of mind that wovdd beg or die before 
doing a mean or a dishonest act to win gold or favor. He died April 
20, 1836, aged about 54 yeai's.* He married Elizabeth, daughter of 
Jonathan Carter, and left three sons. 



JOHN D. SPALDING. 

John D. Spalding was connected Arith the Newburgh press for about 
thirty-eight yeai-s. He was born in Salem, Mass., in Jjxn. 1800. He 
removed to Newburgh in 1815, in company with his father, the Rev. 
Joshua Spalthng, and was soon after apprenticed to Wai-d M. Gazlay, 
then of tlie Political Index, witli whom he remained until 1822, when 
he commenced the publication of the Newburgh GazeUe. He was con- 
nected \\-ith this paper until 1888 or '84, when he sold out liis interest 
and started the Newburgh Journal, which he continued (subsequently 
under the title of the Highland Courier,) until his death. 

As a journjilist, few men have occupied that position, in the same 
locality, for a longer term of years; or who, having done so, passed 
fi-om the stage leading a more favorable record, than ^Lr. Spalding. 
He was not a brilliant writer, but he possessed a sound judgment, was 
lu-bane and kind in his disposition, and had many negative qualities 
through which he secured fi-ieuds and retained them. In person, he 
was over six feet in height, light in frame and in tiesh, and migainly 
in liis cai-riage. He mai-ried Elizabeth L., daughter of the Rev. John 
Jolmston, D. D., of Newbm*gh, and had several childi-en. He died 
on the 22d of August, 1858, in the 54th yeai- of his age, after an ill- 
ness of about two days. 



Samuel Pannenter was of the seventh generation of John Pai-men- 

♦•V^'';i*""\^ peculiarities and a few faults, Mr. Gazlav united many excellent qualities both 
oi neaaaud heart. His early career as a magistrate was marked bv strict probitv. and a 
sound, aiscnmuuitmg judgment, united to a fixedness of purpose and an impartiiUitv i« 
Ills aecisions which saw no ditfereuce between the rich and the poor, the peasant and tAe 
kmg.— 2(?te(;/-ap/), .4pn7 21, 1836. 



BTOGRAPRICAL SKETCHES. 4i| 



ter, who emifiTated from Enofland prior to 1639, and settled in. Sud- 
bury, Mass., where he took the freeman's oath. May 13, 1040. Ezra 
Parmenter, the father of Samuel, was born June 16, 1760.* His son, 
Samuel, was born in the city of Boston, March 2, 1791. He married 
(1818) EHza, daughter of Stephen Crane, of Newton, Mass., and soon 
after removed to Newburgh, where he died, June 29, 1841. His wife, 
Eliza, died Sept. 14, 1849. His children were Charles J., born 1822, 
died in 1826; Susan E. C, born 1830, died in 1856; and Stephen C, 
born in Warwick, April 9, 1819, married Catharine A. McDoweU, Oct. 
16, 1844; died December 12, 1863, leaving Caroline E., Cornelia A. 
Alginette D., Gertmde A., Geneveive C, and Samuel J. 

Ml'. Parmenter was a man of superior talents and great energy of 
mind, and as a mathematician had few equals. He was for many 
years surveyor of the village, by appointment of the Board of Trus- 
tees, and at the time of his death was one of the magistrates of the 
town. In 1822, he compiled and published "A Concise View of the 
United States," a very useful woi'k and one which was eagerly sought 
for throughout the country. Al:)out the same year he made a map of 
Poughkeepsie, for the authorities of that town. In 1835, in pursu- 
ance of a resolution of the board of tinistees, he made a series of 
maps of the village of New^burgh and vicinity, showing the outlines, 
streets, properiy, etc., from 1752 to 1835. These maps are now on 
tile, and are among the most valuable and important papers in the 
archives of the city. In 1836, he compiled and pubhshed " A Statis- 
tical Map of the United States," w^hich was highly commended, and 
which met with such ready sale that three editions were printed. 
From 1825 to 1832, he was the editor and one of the proprietors of 
the Newbuvgh Gazetfe. He was an active Episcopalian, and was the 
organist of St. George's church for about seven years. His accuracy 
as a surveyor was universally admitted, and in all difticult cases he 
was a recognized authority. He was an accomplished scholar, a useful 
citizen, and a good man, and he died universally respected. 



CHARLES U. CUSHMAN. 

Charles Underbill Cushman was born in Hartford, Washington 
county, N. Y., March 20, 1802; and was a lineal descendant of Eobert 
Cushman, one of the original company of Pilgrims, who saUed for the 
New^ World, August 5th, 1(520, O. S.f His father was Charles Cush- 

* The children of Ezra Parmentei; were Samuel, James, William, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah, 
Nancy (died), James, aud Nancy. Elizabeth married Col. Gardiner Thompson, of New- 
bm-gh, and had Ezra P., Catharine G., Mary E., WilUam P., Nancy F., Maria T., Helen, 
Susan P., Charles F., George J., and Julia. William Parmenter served several years a? a 
representative in congress from Missachusetts. 

t Robert Cushman. with his fariily, took passage on the "Speedwell," a vessel that 
sailed in company with the Mayflmver. The "Speedwell " proving unseaworthy, returned 
to London, and it was not until November 21, 1621, that he landed in America." 



412 



mSTOBY OF NEWBUBGH. 



man, of Bennington, Vt., and his mother, Mary, daughter of Augus- 
tine Underhill. His mother died the tenth day after his buih; and 
Charles became the foster child of a kind and affectionate aunt, and 
subsequently of his grandfather Underhill. He enjoyed only such 
advantages of education as a common school in a thinly settled dis- 
trict afforded; but, on the death of liis grandfather, he removed to 
the residence of his father, in Bennington, and attended the Academy 
at that place during fovu* winter sessions. At the age of seventeen he 
entered, as an apprentice, a book store and printing office at Rutland, 
Vt., and at nineteen he removed to Boston, and found employment in 
printing and in mercantile piu'suits for four years. During a portion 
of this time he was in the employ of the father of N. P. Willis. He 
subsequently passed some time as a proof reader and jobber in the 
American Tract Society's printing-rooms in New York. Here, learn- 
ing that a press and newspajaer establishment at Newburgh were for 
sale, he left the city, and after a few months residence in Newbui'gh, 
purchased the Political Index, and estabhshed the Orange Telegraph — 
subsequently the Newhurgh Telegraph — the first number of which was 
issued March 20, 1829. In the autumn of 1839, having become tu-ed 
of the incessant labors of an editor, he sold the establishment, which 
soon afterward passed into the hands of H. H. Van Dyck. Mr. Cush- 
man subsequenth' held a position in the New York ctistoan house, but 
was removed on the change of the federal administration in 18-11, 
when he entered the mercantile business in New York, and afterwards 
in Newburgh. He retii-ed in 1852 with a competency. At the elec- 
tion in 1853, he was chosen member of assembly fi'om the first assem- 
bly district of Orange county, and liUed the station with credit to 
himself and to his constituents. In 1858, he removed to Rhiuebeck, 
Duchess county, where he died, June 1, 1859, after an illness of only 
a few hours. 

Mr. Cushman was a man of strong natural abilities, industry, per- 
severance, independence of mind, and strict integrity. As a A\Titer, 
his style was vigorous and compact. He used but few words, and in 
expressing his thoughts his language was plain and unmistakable. 
His pen was ever ready to expose wrong, and to rebuke alike pohtical 
friends and foes if their conduct failed to reach lus standard of ca- 
pacity and honesty. As a private citizen, he was active m advancing 
the interests of the community in which he lived. He was one of the 
foimders of the Newburgh and of the Mechanics' Library, and also 
helped to establish the Quassaick Bank, and the Newburgh Savings 
Bank. In iill liis pubhc and private walks he was practical, and ex- 
liibited the traits of a good citizen and an honest man. Li person he 
was nearly six feet, clear complexion, blue eyes, rather fleshy, and well 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 418 

formed. He dressed with extreme neatness, and walked with erect 
carriage and firm tread. He married, June, 1832, Mary, daughter of 
Charles Birdsall, without issue. 



WILLIAM LESLIf:. 

William Leslie was the father of Alexander Leslie, of Newburgh. 
He conducted for a short time, the Newburgh Gazette. He died on the 
17th Feb. 1838, of consumption. He was a native of Scotland, and 
dui'ing his short residence in Newburgh won the reputation of an 
honest and an industrious citizen. 



ELIAS PITTS. 

EHas Pitts was born in Columbia county, New York, in the year 
1810, and received a liberal education at the Kinderhook Academy. 
He served an apprenticeship of a few years in the office of the Kinder- 
hook Henllnel, and on its termination became associated in the editorial 
management of that paj)er. Subsequently, he removed to Rochester, 
and was connected with the editorial department of the Advertiser 
of that city, a paper pubUshed by Heni-y J. O'Rielly. At the retire- 
ment of Mr. Van Dyck from the Newburgh Telegraph, in the winter of 
1840, Mr. Pitts assumed the management of that paper, which he con- 
tinued until 1850. From Newburgh, Mr. Pitts removed to Pough- 
keepsie, and there became the editor of the Foughkeepsie American. 
His connection with the j)ubhc press terminated in the autumn of 
1853; and he soon after received an appointment to a clerkship in the 
state department at Washing-ton. 

In liis character as a writer, Mr. Pitts exhibited much originality 
and ability, maintaining a manly independence, and at the same time 
laboring zealously to promote the interests of the democratic party, 
to which he was attached. As a man, he was the soul of good-fel- 
lowship. In the social circle he had few equals. To aflable and 
pleasant manners and fine conversational powers, he added a mind 
stored with a fund of anecdote as well as useful information, which 
made his society sought after and appreciated. He was kind-hearted 
and generous. The appeal of charity never reached his ears in vain; 
while personal resentments were never cherished or maintained — in a 
word, his every-day life appeared to be the reflex of a heai-t filled with 
noble and generous impulses. In person, he was about five feet three 
inches, with a small but well-proportioned body ; head large and well- 
developed; eyes black and full; hair naturally black but prematui'ely 
silvered. He married first, Elizabeth, daughter of John Jamison, of 
Newbui-gh, by whom he had Mary E., and John M.; and second, 
Margaret, daughter of John Whited. He died in Washington, July 
21, 1864, fi'om typhoid fever, at the age of 44 years. 



414 mSTOBY OF NEWBUHGH. 



CONCLUSION. 

The writer of this volmne has looked in Viiiu for a point in its con- 
cluding chapter where he could say, "It is tinislied." without omiting 
many biographical sketches of pereons as worthy of specific rei-ord 
as juiy that have been given; but the work having jih-eady greatly 
exceeded the limit assigned to it, he has been obliged to bring it to 
a coni'lusion. Embraced in the necessary omissions to which refer- 
ence is made fU'c sketches of the late Hons. Thomas ^NLcKissock and 
John "NV. Brown, who were alike distinguished for their legjil abilities 
and then- iutiuence in the councils of the people ; the late Chancey M. 
Leonard, at the time of his death mayor of the city; the late Chaiies 
"NV. Tice. the associate of tlie w^iter in the tii-st pubhcation of the 
History" of Newburgh, and whose character Jis an ariist is slirined in 
many household paintings; and Jolm DeWitt, under whose inspira- 
tion eiU'ly commerciiil aveniies were opened. lu these sis in dther 
cases, however, the generjd record is c-omplete, and frcmi it specific 
deductions can readily be made showing theii* intlueni-e jind tlie es- 
teem in which they were held by their contemporaiies. 

Submitting this volume to the public — the woi-k of his leisiu-e 
horn's — the offspring of a conviction that worthy men axe entitled to a 
remembrtmce beyond that which may be cai-ved upon perishable mar- 
ble, and that in proportion as the desii-e for that remembrance is cul- 
tivated active membei-s of communities will become liigher and nobler 
in aU theii- ambitiims — the writer is contident that whatever imper- 
fections may be found in it wiU not be charged as imperfections of 
intent, but tliat it will be accepted in the spirit in wliich it has been 
written, and stand as a monument to the people generally with whom 
he has been jissociated dui-ing the greater pai-t of his life, and as a 
specific memorial of many Avho, active in their day and generation, 
have passed into the great hereafter. 



Ippenbise. 



TOWN SUPERVISORS. 



1763 

1764 

1765 

1766 

1767 

1768 

1769-71 

1772 

1773 

1774 

1775 

1776 

1777-80 

1781-86 

1787-«8 

1789 

1790-91 

1792-95 



186(i 



1867 



1868 



1869 



Jonathan Hasbrouck 1796-07 
Lewis DuBois 1808 

John Wandal 1809-10 

Benjamin Carpenter "1811 
Lewis DuBois 1812-18 

Edward Hallock 1819-20 

Latting Carpenter 1822 
Jonathan Hasbrouck 1823 
John FlewuflUng 1821-31 
Samuel Fowler 1832-33 

Wolvert Ecker. 1834 

Morris Flewwelling 1835-36 
Wolvert Ecker 1837 

Thomas Palmer 1838 

John Robins.ou 1839 

Isaac Fowler, Jr. 1840-44 
John Robinson 1842 

Isaac Fowler 1843-46 



Reuben Tooker 1847-49 

Isaac Belknap, Jr. 1850 

William Ross 1851 

Jonathan Fisk 1852 

Leonard Smith 1853 

Daniel Tooker 1854 

Leonard Smith 1855 

William Wear, Jr. 1856 

William Walsh 1857 

Robert Lawson 1858 

William Walsli 1859-60 

James G. Clinton 1861-63 

Daniel Tooker 1864 

David W. Bate 1865 

Jackson Oaklev 1866 

David W. Bat« 1867-70 

John W. Brown 1871-76 
David W. Bate 



Odell S. Hathaway 
Enoch -Carter 
Odell S. Hathaway 
Enoch Carter 
Samuel J. Farnum 
Henry Walsh 
Stephen W. FuUerton 
Odell S. Hathaway 
Albert Noe 
Enoch Carter 
Albert Noe 
Odell S. Hathaway 
William H. Beede 
Geo. W. Underbill 
C. Gilbert Fowler 
Nathaniel Barnes, Jr. 
John W. Bushfield 





CITY SUPERVISORS. 






James R. Dickson 


1870 


Patrick Brennan 


1874 


Patrick Brennan 


Ezra Farrington 




George Lawson 




Andrew Johnson 


John C. Adams 




James B. Beveridge 




Daniel S. Waring 


J<icK»ou Oakley 




Lewis C. Vernol 




John Miller 


Chancey M. Ijeonard 


1871 


Patrick Brennan 


1875 


Patrick Brennan 


Ezra Farrington 




George Lawson, 




H. M. Hirschberg 


James E. Horton 




Alexander Cauldwell 




Daniel S. W'aring 


Jackson Oaklev 




Jackson Oakley 




John Miller 


James R. Dickson 


1872 


Patrick Brennan 


187() 


Patrick Brennan 


Ezra Farrington 




Andrew Johnson 




Jacob Tremper* 


James E. Horton 




Daniel S. Waring 




Daniel S. Waring 


Jackson Oakley 




Jackson Oakley 




John Miller 


Patrick Brennau 


1873 


Patrick Brennan 






George Lawson 




Andrew Johnson 


* Died. Genl. W. R. Brown 


James B. Bevendge 




Isaac C. Chapman 


appointed. 


Lewis C. Vernol 




David D. Leon 







(COMMISSIONERS OF ALMS-HOUSE. 

Under the Act "for the better support of the poor of tlie Town of Newburgh," passed 

March 23, 1853, and the Act incorporating the City of Newburgh, passed April 22, 1865. 

1853— David W. Bate, President. David H. Barclay, Thomas H. Roe, C. F. Belknap, 
S. W. FuUerton, L. B. Gregory. W. C. Miller, Superintendent— (served until 1867). 

1854— David W. Bate, President. Henry Wyckoflf, David H. Barclay. S. W. FuUerton, 
E. A. Brewster, Alfred Post. 

18.55— Henrv Wvckofl', President. David H. Barclay, Thomas H. Roe, C. F. Belknap. 
S. W. FuUerton, L. B. Gregoi-y. 

1856— C. F. Belknap, President. Thos. H. Roe, L. B. Gregory, S. W. FuUerton, Isaac 
Wood, Sr. 

1857 — Thomas H. Roe, President. Oliver Belknap, L. B. Gregory, Enoch Carter, 
Isaac Wood, Sr. 

1858— Thomas George, President. Enoch Carter, James Belknap, Isaac Wood, Sr., 
•lames H. Mallery, Oliver Belknap. 

1859— Thomas George, President. Oliver Belknap, James Belknap, Enoch Carter, 
George C. Spencer, Wm. H. Beede. 

I860 — Thomas George, President. James Belknap, George C. Spencer, Wm. H. Beede, 
Enoch Carter, Cbas. S. Lockwood. 

1861— Thomas George, President. Enoch Carter, Wm. H. Beede, George C. Spencer, 
Chas. S. Lockwood, Ezra Farrington. 



41 fi APPENDIX. 



1862— Thomas George, rivsideut. Enoch Cart*>r, Ezra Farriugtou, Chas. S. lA)ck- 
wood, Wm. H. Beedc, David E. Fowler. 

18(;3— Thomas George, Enoch Carter, Ezra Farringtou, Chas. S. Lockwood, William H. 
Beede, Da\'id E. Fowler. 

18(U— Thomas G(>t)rge, Enoch Carter, George Clark, (.has. S. Lockwood, Ezra Farring- 
ton, Wilham H. Beede. 

1865— Chas. S. Lockwood, Ezra Farrington, Thomas George, George Clark, Enoch 
Carter, Wm. H. Beedc. 

18(Ui— Ezra Farrington, Thomas George, George CliU-k, Enoch Carter, John Little, 
Chaueey M. Leonard. 

18()7— Ezra Farrington, Thos. treorge, John Little, Chaneey M. Leonard — City; John 
S. Burdy, I. Belknap— Town. L. I. W>Tians, Snperintendent." 

1868— CorneUns McLean, Wm. C. Noble, Ezra Farrington, Wm. L. F. Warren — CHty; 
John 8. Purdv, Wm. H. Beede— Town. ^lacLeod Rogers, Superintendent. 

1869- Cornelius McLean. William C. Noble, Ezra Farrington, W. L. F. Wairen— City; 
John H. Bond, John S. Purdy — Tow^l. 

1870— Ezra Farrington, Enoch Carter, Cornelius McLean. Wm. L. F. Warren— City; 
John H. Bond. John S. Purdy — Town. 

1871— Enoch Carter, Cornelius McLean. Wm. E. Smiley, L. B. Halsey— City; John H. 
Bond, John S. Purdy— Town. 

1872— WiUiam E. Smiley, David F. B. Cai'son, Cornelius McLean, L. B. Halsey — City : 
John H. Bond, John S. Purdy — Town. 

1873— Da^id Carson, President. L. B. Halsey, Cornelius McLean, Wm. E. Smiley — 
City; John H. Bond, Wm. D. Barns, Jr. — Town." Wm. H. June, Superintendent. 

1874-Tlios. S. McMles, Dand Carson, John L. Sloat, Gavin R. McGregor— Citv; John 
H. Bond Wm. D. Barns-Town. 

1875— Thomas S. Me.\lles, President, Da^id Cai'son, John L. Sloat, Gavin R. Mc- 
Gregor— Citv ; John Birdsall, Wm. D. Barns — Town. 

1876— Thos. S. Mc.\lles,* President. John L. Sloat, Thos. J. Banuon, Gavin R. Mc- 
Gregor-City ; John Bu-dsall, Wm. D. Barns — Town. 

VILLAGE AND CITY OFFICERS. 

BOAKD t>F TIU'STEES. 

1804— Hugh Walsh, George Monell, Jacob Powell, William H. Smith, Hugh Spier, John 
Mandevill, Solomon Sleight. Geo. MoneU, President.:}: 

1805- George MoneU, Chas. Clinton, Hugh Walsh, Hugh Spier, Jacob Powell, Solo- 
mon Sleiurht. John Mandevill. Geo. Monell, President. 

1806 — Isaac Belknap, Jr., Leonard Cai-jjenter, John Mande\'ill, Saml. Downing, John 
Anderson, Jr., Jona. Hedges, Alex. Denniston. Isaac Belknap, Jr., President. Chas, 
CUnton, Clerk. 

1807— Hiram Weller, George Monell, Jacob Pov.ell, John McAuley, Daniel Stringham. 
Hugh Spier, William Tavlor. Creo. Monell. President. William Tavlor, Clerk. 

1808— George Monell," Hiram Weller, John :McAuley, WiUiam Taylor, Jacob PoweU, 
Daniel Stringham, Hugh Spier. Geo. MoneU, President. Wm. Taylor. Clerk. 

1809 — .Tacob PoweU, Edmund Griswold, Jona. Hedges, Hugh Spier, Selah Reeve, Geo. 
Monell, WiUiam Ross. George Monell, President. Wm. Ross, Clerk. 

1810— Jacob PoweU. Solah" Reeve, Jonathan Fisk, John D. Lawson, John Mandevill. 
James Hamiitcm, John Chambers. James Hamilton . President, .\aron Belknap, Clerk. 

1811— Jacob Powell, George Monell, Seth Belkna'o Jonathan Fisk, Isaac Belknap, Jr.. 
WiUiam H. Smith, John Chambers. Jonathan Fisk, President. Aaron Belknap, Clerk. 

1812— Jonathan Fisk, Seth Belknap, Jacob PoweU, George MoneU, John Chambers, 
John Harris, Cadwallader Roe. Jcmathan Fisk, President. Aaron Belknap, Clerk. 

1813 — Walter Case. Jacob Powell, John Harris, John Chambers. Leonard Carpenter, 
James Hamilton. John D. Lawson. Walter Case, President. Aaron Belknap, Clerk. 

1814— \S'alter Case, Jacob PoweU, John Chambers, John D. Lawson, John Harris, 
Leonard Carpenter. WilUam Ross. Walter Case, President. Aaron BeUiuap, Clark. 

1815 — Walter Case, Jacob PoweU, John Chambers. John Harris, John D. Lawson, 
Leonard Carpenter, Solomon Sleight. Walter Case, President. David W. Bate, Clerk. 

1816— Isaac Belknap. Francis Cra^\iord. John Anderson, Jr., Jonathan Carter, Levi 
Dodge, Samuel Downing. Heurv Walsh. Francis Crawford. President. Nathan C. 
SajTe, Clerk. 

1817— Francis Cra^vtord, Thos. PhiUips, Jr.. Benoui H. HoweU,§ Isaac Belknap, John 
Anderson. Jr., WiUiam Walsh, Samuel Downing. Francis Crawford, President. M. R. 
Griswold, Clerk. 

1818— Francis Crawford, Tlmmas PhUlips, Jr., Benj. Case, .Jr., Selah Reeve, William L. 
Smith, Jacob Carpenter, Jona. Hedi^es. Selah Reeve, Pres. ^L R. Griswold. Clerk.* 

1819— Selah Reeve, Thomas PhiUips, Jr., WUliam L. Smith, Jonathan Hedges, Samuel 
Williams, Wm. Seymoiu-. Isaac Belknap. Selah Reeve, Pi-es. M. R. Griswold, Clerk. 

1820— Selah Reeve. Isaac BeUuiap, Thos. PhilUps, Jr.. Samuel WiUiams. Jonathan 
Hedges, Wm. Sejmour, Wm. L. Smith. Selah Reeve, President. M. R. Griswold, Clerk. 

* Died in December. James W. Tayor appointed to tiU vacancy. 

+ Ante p. 183. * § Resigned, but resignation not accepted. 



APPENDIX. 417 



1821— Selali Reeve, Jonathan HedgeH, Samuel Williams, Thos. Phillips, Jr., Isaac 
Belknap, Wm. L. Smith, Francis Crawford. Selali Reeve, Prest. John W. Brown. Clerk. 

1822— Francis Crawford, Samuel Williams, Isaac Belknap, Thus. Phillips, Jr., Wm. L. 
Smith, AlcM. Falls, Jonathan Hedges. Francis Crawford, Prest. John W. Brown, Clerk. 

1823— Francis (Crawford, Isaac Belknap, Wm. L. Smith, Saml. Williams, Thos. Phil- 
lips, Jr., John Forsyth, Alex. F.alls. Francis Crawford, President. .Tohn W. Brown, Clerk. 

1824— Francis Ci-awford, Samuel Williams. Isaac Belknap, Wm. L. Smith, Thos. Phil- 
U;)s, Jr., John Forsvth, Alex. Falls. Francis Crawford, President. John W. Brown, Clerk. 

1825— Francis Crawford, President; Isaac Belknap, John Forsyth, Sanniel Williams, 
Thomas Phillips, jr., William L. Smitli, William Walsh. John W. Brown, Clerk. 

1826 — William Walsh, Samuel Williams, .Tohn Forsyth, John Ledyard, Robert Lawson, 
Ward M- Gazlay, Thomas Pliillips, Jr. William Walsh, President. Benj. H. Mace, Clerk. 

1827 — WiUiaiii Walsh, Robert Lawson, Saml. Williams, John Ledvard, John Forsyth, 
Thos. Phillips, Jr., Joseph Hoffman. William Walsh, President. Benj. H. Mace, Clerk. 

1828— William Walsh, Samuel Williams, Roi)ert Lawson, John Ledyard, John Forsyth, 
Joseph Hoffman, Selah Reeve. Robert Lawson, President. B. H. Mace, Clerk. 

1829— Selah Reeve, Samuel WilHams, Jose])h Hoffman, WiUiam Walsh, John Ledyard, 
David Sands, Samuel G. Snedeu. Saml. VVilliams, President. B. H. Maco, Clerk. 

1830 — Jt)hn Ledyard, President; Charles A. Johnes, .Jackson Oakley, David Sands, 
David Crawford, Rol)ert Kelley, Benjamin Carpenter. Wihiam B. Wright, Clerk, 

1831 — Jackson Oakley, President ; Robert Lawson, Benjamin Carpenter, Samuel Wil- 
liams, David Crawford, Aaron Novcs, Moses H. Belknap. Alx. C. Mullinor, Clerk, (served 
until 1835.) 

18,32— Moses H. Belknap, President; Robert Lawson, Benjamin Carpenter, Samuel 
Williams, David Crawford, Aaron Noyes, Jackson Oakley. 

1833— Moses H. Belknap, President ; Robijrt Lawson, Benjamin Carpenter, Samuel 
WilUauis, David Crawford, Aaron Noyes, Jackson Oakley. 

1834— Moses H. Belknap, President ; Samuel Williams, Benjamin Carpenter, Christo- 
pher Reeve, David Crawford, Eli Haslirouck, Jackson Oakley. 

1835 — John Ledyard, President; Mmavd Harris, WilUam C. Hasbrouck, Samuel John- 
son, John .Jamison, Samuel J. Farnum, Aaron Noyes. Horace Armstrong, Clerk, (served 
until 1838.) 

1836 — John Ledyard, President ; Minard Harris, William C. Hasbrouck, Samuel John- 
son, George Reeve, Samuel J. Farnum, Aaron Noyes. 

1837 — John Ledyard, President ; Samuel J. Farnum, WiUiani C. Hasbrouck, Benjamin 
Carpenter, Jackson Oakley, David Crawford, Cliristopher Reeve. 

1838 — Moses H. Belkna]), President; Sanuiel J. Farnum, William C. Hasbrouck, Benja- 
min Carpenter. Jat^kson Oakley, Nathaniel Dubois, Robert Lawson. Solomon Tuthill, 
Clerk, (served until 1841.) 

18.39— Moses H. Belknap, President; Samuel J. Farnum, William C.Hasbrouck Odell 
S. Hathaway, Jackson Oakley, Nathaniel Dubois, Robert Wardroi). 

1840— Moses H. Belknap, President; Samuel J. Farnum, Thornton M. Niven, Odell 8. 
Hathaway, George Cornwell, Nathaniel Dubois, Robert Wardrop. 

1841— Moses H. Bclkniuj, President ; Samuel J. Farnum, Ebenezer W. Farrington, Odell 
S. Hathaway. Benjamin Carpenter, Nathan'l Dubois, Benjamin F. Buckingham. Jackson 
Oakley, Clerk. 

1842— Minard Harris, President; William M.Wiley, Joseph Hoffman, George Reeve, 
William K. MaiUer, Samuel Johnson, Alexander Whig'am. S. C. Parmenter, Clerk. 

1843— Moses H. Belknap, President ; Samuel J. Farnum, Joseph Hoffman, Benj. Tyler, 
Jefferson Roe, Robert D. Kemp, David W. Gridley. Stejihen B. Brophy, Clerk. 

1844— Moses H. Belknap, President : Benjamin Tyler, Joseph Hoffman, Ebenezer W. 
Farrington, Aikman Spier, Robert D. Kemj), Homer Ramsdell. Jackson Oakley, Clerk, 
(served until 1847.) 

1845— Samuel J. Farnum, President ; Lewis W. Young, David Crawford, Robert A. For- 
syth, William L. F. Warren, Edmund S. Sanxay, Homer Ramsdell. 

1846— Samuel J. Farnum, President ; Lewis W. Young, David Crawford, Robert A. For- 
syth, WiUiam L. F. Warren, Aikman Spier, Homer Ramsdell. 

1847— Samuel J. Farnum, President ; Homer Ramsdell, David Crawford, Robert A. 
Forsyth, William L. F. Warren, Aikman Spier, Wm. P. C. Smith. Peter F. Hunn, Clerk. 

1848— Samuel J. Farnum, President ; Homer Ramsdell. David Crawford. Robert A. For- 
syth, William L. F. Warren, Aikman Spier, Wm. P. C. Smith. David C. Ringland. Clerk. 

1849— Samuel J. Farnum, President ; Homer Ramsdell, Lewis W. Young, Robert A. 
Forsyth, William L. F. Warren, Lewis D. Lock wood, Eii Hasbrouck, Jackson Oakley, Clerk. 



* The following singular oath was taken by Griswokl on entering upon his duties : 
"I, Marvin R. Griswold, being chosen Clerk of the Corporation of the Village of New- 
burgh, do solemnly swear that I will in all things, to the best of my knowledge and 
ability, execute and perform the duties enjoined on me, and that I will not chvulge or 
make pubhc any of the proceedings of the Corporation until the same shall be published 
by them or their order; nor at any time disclose or discover the votes or opinions of 
any member of the said body, unless requii-ed to give evidence thereof in a Court of 
Justice. [Signed] M. R. GRISWOLD. 

Sworn and subscribed the 5th day of May, 1818, James Hamilton. 

027 



418 APPENDIX. 



1850— Samuel J. Farnum, President ; Homer Kamsdell, Lewis W. Young, Robert A. For- 
syth, Williym L. F. Warroii, Lewis D. Loekwood, Eli Hasbrouck. Jackson Oakley, Clerk. 

1851— Samuel J. Farmim, President ; Minard Harris, Homer Ramsdell, Robert Lawson, 
Henry T. McCoim, Thornton M. Niven, Eli Hasbrouck. Daniel G. Niven, Clerk. 

1852— Ebenezer W. Farrington, President ; Robert Lav/son, Charles Drake, Geo. Gearn, 
William L. F. Warren, John R. Gorham, Eh Hasbrouck. Charles Halstead, jr., Clerk, 
(served until 18fi4.) 

1853— Ebenezer W. Farrington, President ; Robert Lawson, SamuolJ. Farnum, Goorge 
Gearn, William L. F. Warren, John R. Gorham, Eli Hasbrouck. 

1854— William L. F. Warren, President; Samuel B. Gregory, Franklin Gerard, James 
H. Mallorv, Edson H. Clark, John R. Gorham, Charles .Tohnson. 

1855— William L. F. Warren, President ; John F. Van Nort, Eh Hasbrouck, Edwin T. 
Comstock, William E. Peck, Charles H. Doughty, William H. Callahan. 

1856— William L. F. Warren, President ; George W. Kerr, Franklin Gerard, Edwin T. 
Comstock, James H. Mallory, Isaac Wood, jr., Lewis D. Loekwood. 

1S57— William L. F. Warren, President; Ebenezer W. Fari'ington, Franklin Gerard, 
Hals< y R. Stevens, Robert Sterling, George Lawson, Michael Doyle. 

1858— William L. F. Warren, President ; Ebenezer W. Farrington, Edwin T. Comstock, 
Halsey R. Stevens, Robert Sterling, George Lawson, Michael Doyle. 

1859— William L. F. Warren, President ; Ebenezer W. Farrington, J. H. H. Chapman, 
Halsey R. Stevens, Robert Sterling, George Lawson, Michael Doyle. 

1860— WiUiam L. F. Warren, President ; Ebenezer W. Farrington, J. H. H. Chapman, 
George C. Spencer, Robert Sterling, George Lawson, Michael Doyle. 

1801 — H(mier Ramsdell, President ; Robert Sterling, J. H. H. Chapman, Thomas Bcvc- 
ridge, John Lomas, George Lawson, Isaac S. Fowler. 

1862— Robert SterHng, President ; Thomas Beveridge, J. H. H. Chapman, Homer Rams- 
dell, John Lomas, Hugh McCutcheon, Isaac S. Fowler. 

1863— Robert Sterling, President ; Thomas Bevei-idge, J. H. H. Chapman, Homer Rams- 
dell, John Lomas, CorneHus McLean, Isaac S. Fowler. 

1864— William L. F. Warren, President ; David Moore, Benjamin B. Odell, James Bigler, 
Chas. Root, Robert A. Forsyth, Lewis Jennings. Clias. B. Royce, Clerk, (served until 1866. ) 

1865— David Moore, President ; James Bigler, Benjamin B. Odell, Alexander Leslie, 
Charles Root, Edson H. Clark, Jacob Brown. 



MAYORS AND COMMON COUNCIL. 

1866 — Mayor — George Clark ; Aldermen — First Ward, Daniel A. Rheutan, John Lomas; 
Second Ward, Henry Ross, John Corwin ; Third Ward, Edaon H. Olavk, I^onj. B. OcloU ; 
Fourth Ward, Ja.mes Bigler, James Wliitehill. Chas. B. Royccs Clerk, (served until 1872.) 

1867— Mayor— G«orgo" Clark ; Aldermen— First Ward, Daniel A. Rheutan, George M. 
Clapp ; Second Ward, Henry Ross, James H. Phillips ; Third Ward, Edson H. Clark, Chas. 
Root ; Fourth Ward, James Bigler, David Moore. 

1868— Mayor— George Clark ; Aldermen— First Ward, G. M. Clapp, Alexander McCann ; 
Second Ward, James H. Phillips, WiUiam R. Brown ; Third Ward, Charles Root, Jonathan 
N. Weed ; Fourth Ward, David Moore, Abram S. Cassedy. 

1869— Mayor- George Clark; Aldermen— First Ward, Alexander McCann, Gavin R. 
McGregor;" Second Ward, William R. Brown, Francis Boyd ; Third Ward, Jonathan N. 
Weed, J. J. S. McCroskery ; Fourth Ward, ^Viex. Cauldweli, Jacob Brown. 

1870— Mayor— Robert Sterling. (Dec'd.) Alexander McCann, Presiding Officer and 
Acting Mayor ; Aldermen— First Ward, Alexander McCann, Gavin R. McGregor ; Second 
Ward, Elkanah K. Shaw, Francis Boyd ; Third Ward, Charles Root, J. J. S. McCroskery ; 
Fourth Ward, Alex. Cauldweli, James T. Lawson. Orville M. Smith, Clerk, (served un- 
till872.) 

1871— Mavor, William W. Carson ; Aldermen— First Ward, Alexander McCann, William 
Doyle ; Second Ward, Elkanah K. Shaw, Robert Whitchill ; Third Ward, Charles Root, 
J. J. S. McCroskerv ; Fourth Ward, Nathaniel B. Havl, James T. Lav/son. 

1872— Mayor— Samuel E. Shutos ; Aldermen— First Ward, Joseph M. Dickey, William 
Doyle ; Second Ward, Henry F. Travis, Robert Wliitehill ; Third Ward, Edward Haigh, 
J. J. S. McCroskery; Fourth Ward, Nathaniel B. Hayt, Robert Kernahan. Daniel J. 
Coutant, Clerk, (1877.) 

1873— Mayor, Samuel E. Shutes ; Aldermen— First Ward, Joseph M. Dickey, William 
Doyle; Second Ward, Henry F. Travis, Wilham Cameron; Third Ward, Edward Haigh, 
John C. Adams ; Fourth Ward, Nathaniel B. Hayt, Robert Kernahan. 

1874— Mayor— Chancey M. Leonard* ; Aldermen— First Ward, Wilham Doyle, Hugh 
Hamilton ; Second AVard, William F. Cameron, John Dotzert ; Third Ward, John C. Adams, 
Grant E. Edgar ; Fourth Ward, Nathaniel B. Hayt, Lewis B. Halsey. 

1875-76— Mayor— John J. S. McCroskery ; Aldermen— First Ward, WiUiam Doyle, Hugh 
Hannlton ; Second Ward, WiUiam F. Cameron, John Dotzert ; Third Ward, John C. Ad- 
ams, Grant E. Edgar ; Fourth Ward, Noah Collard, Richard Sterling. 



* Mayor Leonaed having died on tho 3d of December, 1874, the President of the Com- 
mon CouncU, N. B. Hayt, became Acting Mayor, in accordance with provision of the 
City Charter. 



APPENDIX. 



419 



MEMBEES OF BOARD OF EDUCATION. 



Alsdorf, Egbert 
Bevridge, John 
Bevridge, Tliomas 
Brewster, E. A. 

18G7-68- 
Brown, Rev. John 
Brown, Jacob 
Callahan, W. H. 
Case, Robert L. 
Cassedy, A. S. 
Clapp, George M. 
Clark, George 
Corwn, John 
Cnlbert, Dr. W. A. M. 
Dickson, James R. 
Ely, Dr. Smith 
Estabrook, Chas. 
Forsyth, Rev. John 



1862-65 
1852-57 
1858-60 
1858-63 
■1873-77 
1852-58 
1855 
1861 
1874-77 
1875-77 
1865 
1858-60 
1864-72 
1855-57 
1857-59 
1876-77 
1864-72 
1853-77 



Gearn, W. W. 1876-77 

George, Thomas 1859-61 

Gregory, L. B. 1852-54 

Haines; P. S. 1867-70 

Hirschberg, M. H. 1871-77 
Jones, Nathaniel 1852-56 
Johnes, Edward R. 1861-63 
Kerr, George W. 1852-54 
Kimball, Thos. 1864-67, 1873 
Lawson, John K. 1858-61 
Leonard, D. GilUs 1852-57 
1860-62, 1864 
Leonard, ChanceyM. 1869-71 
Lewis, John N. 1870-72 

Martin, Cyrus B. 1868-73 

McCntcheon, Hngh 1863-66 



Moore, B. B. 
Monell, J. J. 1852- 
Peck, William E. 
Reeve, Charles F. V. 
Reilly, John 
Ring, Thomas C. 
Rogers, Daniel T. 

Ruttenber, E. M. 

Smith, Orville M. 

Thayer, John S. 
Ward, Peter 
Williams, Samuel 
Wilson, Nicholas 



1872-75 
54, 1865 
1862 (14 

1852 
1872-75 
1852-57 
1866-72 
1875-77 
1857- ». 4 
186t;-69 
1856-57 
1850-64 

1855 
1S61 66 
1856-58 
1867-74 



Merritt, Theodore 



1868-69 I 
1870 i 



President— John Bevridge, 1852-57 ; John Forsyth, 1858-77. 
. Clerk -Nathl. Jones, 1852-57 ; Hugh S. Banks, 1852-59 ; Dr. R. V. K. Montfort, 1859-63, 
1872-76 : E. M. Ruttenber, 1863-64 ; Hiram A. Jones, 1864-72. 



WATER COMMISSIONERS. 

With the exception of tlie Commissioners appointed for the construction of the Water- 
woi-ks, the duties of Water Commissioners were discharged by the Board of Trustees 
until the adoption of the City charter, since which time the following persons have been 
members of the Board of Water Commissioners : 



George Clark, 1866-71 

Francis Scott, 1866-71 

J. D. Shafer, 1866-69 

Robert Sterling, 1869 

C. M. Leonard, 1869-72 

Wm. Wyekoff, 1869-72 

Superintendent 



John F. Van Nort, 1870-75 

Franklin Gerard, 1871-75 

Timothy Towusend, 1871-75 

Wm. W. Carson, 1872-77 

Sanil. G. Kimball, 1872-77 

J. H. H. Chapman, 1875-77 



E. K. Shaw, 
L. M. Smith, 
Chas. Root, 
H. B. Beckman, 



1875-76 

1875-76 
1876-77 
1876-77 



D. T. Rogers, 1866 ; Leauder Clark, Jr. 
70 ; ChiCb. B. Eoyce, 1870-73 ; E. C. Boynton, 1873-77. 



1866-69 ; N. W. Allard, 1869- 



SEALS OF THE VILLAGE AND CITY OF NEWBURGH. 

The first seal in use by the Board of Trustees was one previously obtained by the Trus- 
tees of the lire Department. It had for its 
design a figure of Justice, encircled with the 
words, " Seal of the Trustees of Newburgh." 
The second seal was adopted June 7, 1819. 
It is described by Mr. William Rolliuson, of 
New York, by whoin it was engraved, as fol- 
lows : " The figure is a representation of the 
Deity of the Hudson, or a River God (Aqua- 
rius, the water-bearer, ) according to Heathen 
Mythology, pouting forth the river from his 
m-n, and bearing in his right hand an antique 
Rudder of a vessel, as an emblem of the ex- 
tensive navigation and commerce of the river; 
and the Hudson is designated by the arms of 
the State of New York being blazoned upon 
the rudder — which I believe corresponds with 
the idea communicated to me.'' This descrip- 
tion is rather crude, but it was approved by 
the Board and entered upon its minutes. 

The seal of the City of Newburgh was adop- 
ted in 18C6, and is shown by tlu^ accompany- 
ing engraving. 




CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 

1609 — Mahicanituk river discovered by Hudson. 

1652— Hostilities commenced by Esopus Indians. 

1660-First Esopus (or Imlian)War. 

1663— Second Esopus War. 

1683— Original County of Orange organized. 



420 APPENDIX. 

1684— First settlement in the present County of Orange by Scotch immigrants at Plum 
Poiut, in New Windsor. 

1684_Lands extending from the Paltz to Stony Point purchased from the Indians by 
Gov. Dongan. 

1690— Second settlement in the present County of Orange by William Tietsort in the 
town of Deerpark. 

l(5t)4._Lauds purchased by Gov. Dongan patented to Capt. John Evans under the title 
of " Manor of Fletclierdon." 

lG99~Evans' Patent vacated by an Act of the Assembly. 

1709— Third settlement in the present County of Orange by Palatine immigrants on the 
site of the City of Newburgh. 

1710— Precinct of the Highlands established by an order of Court of Sessions of Ulster 
county, as a Court district. 

1712-14 — Settlement of Wawayanda Patent at Goshen, Warwick and Gray-court. 

1719- Lands at Quassaick creek jjatented to Pnlatine immigrants — including a Glebe of 
500 acres for the support of a Lutheran minister ; settlement designated, " The Palatine 
Parish by Quassaick.' 

1725 — First Presbyterian church in present County erected at Goshen. 

1733— First Church erected in Newburgh by Lutherans. 

1743 — Newburgh Plot laid out by Alexander Colden : First application of the name of 
Newburgh to the present Citj'. 

1743 — The Precinct of Goshen erected. 

1743 — FeiTy established at Newburgh by charter to Alexander Colden. 

1744— Preciuct of the Highlands erected by an Act of the Assembly, and Supervisor 
and other officers elected. 

1747— Members of the Church of England elected Trustees of Glebe, and the Church 
edifice closed against the Lutheran minister. 

1752— First Patent for Glebe surrendered and the Second Patent issued, confirming in- 
come of Glebe to Church of England : Settlement designated, " The Parish of Newburgh.'' 

1763— Precinct of Highlands divided, and the Precinct of Newburgh and the Precinct 
of New Windsor erected therefrom. 

1769— Seventeen buildings on the site of the present City of Newburgh. 

1772 — Precinct of Newburgh divided and the Precinct of Newburgh and the Precinct 
of New Marlborough erected. 

1775— Committees of Safety appointed in the Precincts of the County. 

1~79 — Washington's Head-quarters established at Ellison house, New Windsor. 

1782 —Washington's Hoad-iiuarteni established at Newburgh. 

1783— Army disbanded. 

1788— The Towns of Newburgh, Cornwall, Goshen, Warwick, Miunisink, New Windsor, 
Wallkill, and Montgomery, erc^cted by general Act. 

1794— Presbyterians elected Trustees of Glebe : Organization of St. George's Church 
broken up by the Kevolution. 

1795— First newspaper, " The Newburgh Packet," printed. 

1796— Newburgh Post-office estabHshed. 

1798-The present County of Orange erected. 

1800— The Village of Newburgh incorporated. 

1805— Glebe charter amended, and income apphed to the support of Schools. 

1866— The City of Newburgh incorporated. 



ERRATA. 

While the greatest care has been taken to prevent the admission of any erroneous state- 
ment or date, it is possible that in reviewing so many subjects as are embraced in this 
volume, errors have not been wholly avoided. When it is remembered that it has been 
found necessary to correct every history that has been written and every map that has 
been printed ; that traditions have been found at wde variance with established records ; 
that several thousand names and dates have been recorded— a claim of entire accuracy 
would be presumptuous. The reader, if better informed than the writer, will please cor- 
rect whatever may be found amiss in the respects referred to as well as in orthography. 






ieneral Strbe^r. 



:!HAPTER I p.5 

History of Orange County— In 
tlie Be?innin<; — Aboriginal Era 
—The Wars tor Possession— 1492, 
1664. 

,'H AFTER II p 16 

History of Orange County— Alj- 
original Deeds— Land Patents — 
First .Settlements— 16(U, 1709. 

"HAPTER III p.29 

History of Orange County— Civil 
Uoveninient — Organization of 
Counties. Precincts and Towns 
—Courts and ('onrt Houses— Co- 
lonial Politics— 1683, 1798. 

mAPTER IV p.49 

History of Orange (bounty— Lo- 
cation— Physiology— (ieographi- 
cal Nonienclature--Cliniate— Ge- 
ology — Soils, etc. I 

;hapter V p.80 

HLstory of Orange (!ountv— The 
French and Indian War— War of 
tlie Revolution— Wars of the Re- 
puljlic. 

'HAPTER VI p.95' 

1 History of Orange County- .Tu- 

V-borginal Era. 7: 

Indian Tribes. 9 

Deeds, 19,20,21,23,241 

War Cry, 11' 

" War— First, 11 

" W-irs — Rsf>r.no_ la 

Inilian Names — Sginiflcfltion of 



68 
66 
53 
66 
67 
65 
65 
55 
51 
56 
69,205 
54 
10 
53 
63 
17 
55,69 

162,340 
102 

129,168 
103 



186,193,232 



dicial History— Public Buildings 
— Civil Administration — Town 
Boundaries— General Summary. 

CHAPTER VII p.lll 

History ot Newburgh— The Sec- 
ond Patents-The Palatine Pari.sh 
by Quassaicli. 

CHAPTER VIII p. 125 

The Parish of Xewburgh— Set- 
tlement of Adjoining Patents- 
Precinct Officers— Revolutionary 
Events— The Town of Newburgh 
—The (ilebe in the hands of the 
people— The Village of Newburgh 
—Infidelity— Recollections. 

CHAPTER IX p.l83 

Village of Newburgh— Amended 
Glebe Charter- Second War with 
England— War of the Rebellion- 
Business Review— General Sum- 
mary. 

CHAPTER X p. 205 

Newburgh Localities— Census Re- 
turns-Support of Poor — Turn- 
pikes and I'lank Roads — Rail- 
road Enterpri.ses— Banking In-i 
stitutions— Incorporated Compa-i 



Arackhook, 

Assawaghkemeck, 

General Explanation, 

Hasdisch, 

Long House, 

Minnising, 

MongavTi)ing, 

Muehattoe:', 

Navesing, 

Pochuck, 

Quassaick, 

Scliuncniunk, 

Seepu, 

Shawangunk, 

Woerawin, 

Kalianksen Castle, 

^laringoman's Castle, 

cademy, Xewburgli 

igriculturai Products, 

Liljertson's Tavern, 

nierican Star, 

anking Institutions. 

Bank of Newburgh 

Branch Bank of Newburgh, 232 

Bank of Orange Countv, 193 

Bank of United States," 193 

Bank Suspensions, 236 

Highland Bank, 192,2315 

Newburgh Savings Bank, 235 

Powell Bank, 194,196,234 

Quassaick Bank, 235 

;aln\ville, (see Localities) 

aim of Gilead Tree, 182,206 

;.irges and Propellers, 249 

j.eacon Fires, 89,190 

rpeiV.nap's Ridge, (see Localities) 

illinii;s Anthem,Independence 154 

ills of Credit, 158 

iograpb>aI and Genealogical 

Acker, V\ .Alvert 373 

Albertsou, f iciiard 356 

Belknap Kani'Jy, 357 

,Bird.sall Faniilj 368 

IBowmaii, PhinebS 390 

Brown, Bev. Johu 403 

^prr.wr .t.<hp 5^89 



Carter Family, 

Golden, Alexander 
CrawtVrd Family. 
Cuslnuun, Charles V. 
DeGrnv" P.- ...u- . 
i'"Wiiiug J'amily. 
i'arringttin Family, 
Fisk, Jonathan 
Flewwelling Family, 
Forsyth, John 
Fowler Family, 
Gardiner, Rotiert 
Gazlay, Ward M. 
Gulch, Melchior 
Hasbrouck Family, — 
Hotlman, Zacharias 
Hoflfman, Joseph 
Hutchins, John Nathan 
Innis Famil}', 
Kockerlhal, Joshua, Rev. 
Leslie, William 
Ludlow Family, 
Mailler Family, 
Merritt F'amily, 
Meynders, Burger 
Oakley Famil.v, 
Parmenter, Samuel 
Penny Family, 
Pitts," Ellas 
Powell I\imily, 
Purdy Family. 
Ramsdcll Famil3-, 
Reeve Family, 
Roe Family," 
Schultz family, 
Seymour, William 
Smith Family, 
Shaw, Thomas and John 
Spalding, Johu D. 
Storey, Jonas 
Walsh Brothers, 
Walsh, Hugh 
Warren Family, 
Weigand, Michael 
Weygant, Charles H. 
Biographical Notes. 
Adams, Ebenezer 
Alexander, James 
Armstrong, Major John " 
Belknap, Hezekiah 
Benedict, E. C. 
Bloomer, Joseph 
Brcv 



384 
355 
.•595 

4t I 

3US 
405 
391 
364 
394 
364 
387 
409 
354 
369 
355 
388 
375 
375 
3.53 
413 
399 
397 
363 
355 
397 
410 
374 
413 
401 
367 
403 
375 
371 
393 
377 
356 
409 
410 
392 
408 
381 
378 
351 
354 

339 
121 
149 
362 

3411 

181 1 



I nies — Supply of Water— New- 
1 burgh Po.st-offlce — Commercial 
Record— Newburgh Ferry— Fire 
Department — Principal Fires- 
Regatta -As.sociation— Horticultu- 
ral Society- Mechanical Indus- 
tries. 

CHAPTER XI p.273 

The Militia prior to and during 
the Revolution— General Organi- 
, zation and Continental Regim'ts 
J —Militia since the Revolution- 
Rebellion Record. 

CHAPTER XII p.289 

Newtiurgh Churches — Religious 
I and Literary Societie.s— Schools 
! —Newspapers — Benevolent So- 
! cieties, Ac. 

CHAPTER XIII p.3.53 

Biographical and Genealogical 
Sketches. 

APPENDIX p.414 

Town and City Supervisors— Vil- 
lage and City Officers— Seals- 
Chronological Record. 

INDEX p.421 

Burnet, Rev. Eleazer 298 

<:iiapman. Paddock £!■ 

'barltoi'' «■";.. ».!>.. io,u -^g 

('i„^,. v>rv. John 298 

Cochran, Robert 157 

Coleman, Joseph 3t)8 

Colden, Gov. ,S55 

Colden, Cadwallader 356 

Cooper, Rev. Ezekiel 324 

Cushman, Robert 411 

DavLs, Elder Luke 319 

Denniston, David 166,340 

DeWitt, John 382 

Donnelly, Peter 168 

DuPuy, Samuel 27 

Edmouston, James 3.56 

Falls, Alexander 369 

Farrington, Rev. T. T. 406 

Farrington, Ezra 4U6 

Foote, Ebenezer 243 

Fowler, Rev. Sanmel 326 
Freeman, Rev. Jonatlian 298 

Gouverneur. Abraham 47 

Gregory, Samuel O. 362 

Guimar, Peter 25 

Hartwick, Rev. Mr. ' 178 

Hasbrouck. Abraham 'W 

Hedges, Dr. Pliineas 166 

Kerr, George W. 404 

Lander, Benjamin 407 

Lewis, Rev. fsiiac 298 

Libljey, Wm. S. <.'i« 

Machin, Cajit. Thomas 211 

McCroskery, John 406 

McGregorie, Patrick 20 

Merritt, Underhill 3W 

Palmer. Rev. Elihu 165 

Palmer, Vol. Thomas 368 

Parmenter, Ezra 411 

Phillips, Rev. George 374 

Phillips, Robert 364 

Sanxaf, Edmund S. 387 

Sayrft Rev. John 177,291 

Scott, William 387 

Smkh, Nathan 121 

Smith, William 283 

Serimgeour, Rev. Jam' - 311 

Thayer, William 380 

Tietsort, William 25 

Tooker, ('harles 368 

Ward, Peter 407 

Watkins, Rev. Hezekiah 290 

•ii" ■'onai' V'-J 



^ 

»».. 



("? 



422 



GENERAL INDEX. 



BloomiiifT Grove. 

Support of Poor, Page 97 

Town Boundaries, 103 

Block Houses, 91 

Bluo Ball Tavern, 173 

Bridsevllle Bridge, 184 

Burgoyne's Expedition, 87,89 

Campdround, 144 

Cayuga Lake, Steamer on 191 

Chester. 

Militia Rendezv<)us at 86 

Town Boundaries, 108 

Churches. 

American Ect'onned, 315 

Bethlehem, 101,295 

Calvary Presbyterian, 303 

Catholic— St. Patrick'.s, ,332 

St. Mary's, 333 

Church of Kngland, 123,125 

Church of the Cornerstone, 295 

Church of Our Father, 335 

Episcopal, 161,162,289 

First Associate Reformed, 162,311 

First Baptist, 318 

First Presljyterian, 162,295 

First Reformed Presbyterian, 313 

First United Presl)yterian, 315 

First Universalist, 333 

African M. E. and Baptist, 333 

Lutheran, Newburgh, 101,120,289 

Lutheran, New York, 119,123 

Magliaghkemek, 90,101 

Methodist (^a^^ses, 32:^,325 

" Fostertown, 329 

" Gardnortown, 328 

" Grace 330 

" Middlohope, 828 

Rossville, .328 

" Trinitv 326 

St. John's 329 

" St. Paul's 331 

Newburgh Mi.tsion, 130 

Number in Coumv. loi 

■=( Andrews, " 131,292 

M,ss,o,l, 130,|9 

' ' ;, 323 

S' -•terlji:i, 302 

>>■ 1 V'l- -tvterian, 314 

t: ;»7 

i-;i.- 204 

Churcli sia.. ,H35 

Civil Government, 29 

Assessors, 34 

Colonial Politics, 44 

Commissioners of Highways, 34 

First Code of Laws, " ,S1 

Organization of Counties, 32 

Precinct Organizations, .35 

Representatives in Assemblv, 42 

Supervisors, " .S3 

Town Organizations, 39 

Climate. 

Cornwall, 7I 

Goshen, 71 

Ncwt)urgh, 70 

Shawangunk Range, 71 

Coffee House, Newburgh, 200 

Colden's Dock, 172,244 

CoUlen House, 173,199 

Colonnade Row, 200 

'"■ommercial Record. 

Docks, 244 

I'.ij-warders, 245 

i^i' op Lines, 244 

Stoi ners and Barges. 247 

Steaiiiiiont Captains, 249 

Commit 'ce of Safety, 135,137 

Power -.if , , 138 

Continental Dock, ' 172 

" RlaeksuiUh Shop, 173 

Ferry, 173,177,251 

Slore-hou.Ni 299 

" Regiments, 276 

Copper Coinage, liS,171,211 

Cornwall, Precinct of 36 

Population 1790, 41 

Town Boundaries, jij4 

Counties, Original bZ 

County of Orange, 

.Agricultural Products, lo'.-.j 

,' Board of Supervisors, 33,100 

Boundaries, 35,41 

Characteristics of People, 100 



County of Orange (continued). 



Court Houses, 

Geology, etc. 

InsaneAsylum, 

Location, 

Mountains and Valleys 

Origin of Name, 

Original Organization, 
" Precincts and Towns, 35,38,39 

Ponds, Streams, etc., 58 

Plivsiologv, 49 

Population, 28,41.85,103 

Religious Summary, 101 

Reorganization, 

Representatives, 

Sheriffs, 

Stock Hor.se.s, 

Support of Poor, ■ 

Surrogates, 

Surrogate's Otlice, 

Town Boundaries, 
Crawford. 

Town Boundaries, 
Deerpark. Settlement of 

Town Boundaries, 
DeCirove's Tavern, 
Demott's Tavern, \ 
Denton's Dock, \ 

Devil Worship, \ 

DeWint's Dock, \ 

Diar.y of Abm. Hasbrrwck, 
Doniielly's Recolleelio^is, 
Downing Hou.se, 
Druid Society (.see Societies.) 
Eel-Fishing Place, 
Edmonston House, 
Elections, Early 
Elective Franchise, 
Elii.son Hou.se, 
Erie Canal Construction, 

" Railroad " 
Esopus Wars (see Aboriginal Era). 
Ettrick Grove, 214 

Evans Patent (sec Pateiit.s), 



43,93 
71 
9^ 
49 
50 
35 
34 



40 
45 
44 
-103 
97 
43 
9S 
103 

107 
25 
104 
173 
182 
173,244 
208 
173 
170 
167 
171 

131 
145 
45,46 
44 
145 
191 
194 



Excise Commissioners, 129 

First Brick House, 173 

" 'T-nuie House, 167 
MechaniLv. 178,265 

" Pest House, 175 

" Regular Store, 174 
First Settlements. 

Baird Patent, 130 

Bradley " 131 
Bradley Children Patent, 132 

Goshen, etc., 35 

Gulch Patent, 133 

Haverstraw, 19 

Harrison Patent, 1.32 

.lohnson Patent, 133 

Kip & Co. Patent, 1.31 

New Paltz, 20 

Parish hv Quassaick, 28 
Plum Point (New Windsor). 21 

Swartwout Patent, 25 

Spratt " i:i3 

Town of Orange, 23 

Wawavanda Patent, 25 

WaliacH " 131 

Forwarding Lines, 244 
Forts Clinton, etc., 51,87,88,142 
French and Indian War. 

Block Houses, 84 

Hostilities of the MInsis, 81 
Massacres in the Minnisinks, 82 

Friends. Settlement of 131 

Front Street, Opening of 201 

Gardner's Tavern, 203 

Gardner House, 209 
Geology, etc. 

Chanipiain Divisioil, 73 

Granite, 75 
Minerals, 74,75 

Mines, 76 

Primary Rocks, 75 

Shawangunk Grit, 72 

Soils, etc.. 78 

Taeonic System, 74 

Trenton Lnnestone, 73 
German Patent, (see Patents.) 

Glf i f^. First Charter, 117 

Amended Charter, 184 

liirllc iMes, 160 
Dwel- ..son 129,171 
I'alr. 126,126 

\P«e (^unple Titles, 204 

■ '■oo'lsj. 



Glebe (continued). 
Second Charter, Page 125 

Tenants on 124 

Goshen, Precinct of 33 

Settlement of 35 

Town Boundaries, 104 

Greenville. 

Town Boundaries, 109 

Hamptonburgh, 

Town Boundaries, 108 

Hanover, Precinct of 98 

Hard Winter ot 1779, 169,170 

Harrison Patent (See PatenLs). 
Haverstraw, Settlement of 20 

Precinct of, 35 

Hessian Pri.soners, 169 

Highlands, Forts in (see Forts). 
Ilit:Tdands (see Mountains). 
Highlands, l*re<'inct of 36,122.183 
Highlands, Tciwn Boundaries, 110 
Hiram Lodge (See Masonic). 
Horses. 

American Star, 103 

■ E.sopus Switch Tails, 103 

Hambletonian, 103 

Price of, 103 

Hotels. 

Mansion House, 177,181,200 

Orange, 172,174 

United States, 174,201 

Hud.son's River Ob.structions, 87,88 

Hudson and Delaware Canal, 192 

Iiulependence. 

First ( 'Ciebration of 154 

Infidelity, 164 

Introduction, 4 

In the Beginning, 6 

Judicial History, .31,32,43,93 

Lacustrine and Marsh Lands. 
Barton Swamp, 64 

Big Swamp, 6; 

Binuenwater Swamp, 64 

Black Meadows, 63 

Cedar Swamp, 62 

Drowned Laiuls, ft 

(■ray -court Meadows, 6; 

Grassy Swamp, K; 

Great Swamp, 64 

lw'i\(}- Swamp, 63 

Pine Swamp, tJi 

Pakadasink Swamp, 64,65 

Tamarack Swamp, (j3 

Libraries. 
Catholic Lilirarv. etc., 345 

Mechanics' Library, 344 

Newburgh Librarv Assoc, 344 
Free Librarv. 34f 
Liverpool Trade, " 16;- 

Lficalities. 
Balmville, 20( 

Belknap's Ridge, 2II 

Coldcnham, 131,21) 

Dans Kamer, 9,20< 

DuBois' Mills, 20! 

Gardnertown, 2U' 

Gidneylown, 133,20! 

Hampton, 20' 

Hay Scales, iii 

Lujiiondale, 131,20. 

Middleliope, 132,'20- 

New Mills. 21> 

Powder Mills, 2I 

Public Stocks, 21 

Public Market. 21' 

Rocky Forest, 131,20 

Rossville, 132,208..32 

The Vale, 21 

Wa.shington's Headquarters 21 
West Newburgh, 21- 

Lumitic Asvlum, s 

Luptondale (.see Localities.) 
Maghaghkemek Patent, i 

Church, 90,11 

Precinct, ; 

Settlement of 2 

Mailler's Dock, 172,24 

Mamakating Precinct (see Frecinc 
Mansion House, 177,21 

Masonic. I 

American Union Lod^e, 3f 

Hiram Lodge, 190,3; 

Newburgh Lodge, »'. 

Orange Lodge, Goshen, 3 

Steuben Lodg', Si 

St. John's Ledge, Warwick, 9' 
Masonic Lf"'"« w..n«-i jf. 

,]■■,.» 



htgrabings. 



Aborginal Map Facing Page 5 

Atlolph DeGrove (Autograph) , 'iU'i 

Adolph DeGrove, Jr. (Autograph) ;i85 

American Reformed Church ai7 

Asbury Chapel 328 

Associate Reformed l/'liurch 313 

Calvary Presbyterian Church 30o 

Golden House 173 

County Seal Title Paye. 

County of Orange (Map) Facing Page 35 

Court House at Ne wburgh 95 

Cro'■^fest 50 

David Crawford (Portrait) 398 

Disbandment of the Army Facing Page 157V 

DuBois' iMills 209 

Engine No. 2 25S 

Enoch Carter (Portrait) 3S5 

Ferry Boat Caravan 253 

First Baptist Church (1796) 320 

First Baptist Church (185J) 322 

First Baptist Church (18J0) 322 

First M. K. Church (18t)0) 327 

First Presbyterian Church (1S23) 30J 

First Presbyterian Church (1858) ;101 

First Reformed Presb.ytcriau Church 31i 

Fostertown M. E. Church 329 

Gardner House 209 

Gardner's Store House Fachig Page 21!!-' 

Garduertown .M. E. Church 328 

German Patent (Map) 118 

Gilbert O. Fowler (Portrait) 309 

(ilebe, Map of (1753) Ftcing Page 127 

Gray-Court -Meadows Oi 

Hay Scales 217 

Home for the Friendless 351 

Homer Ram-idell (Portrait), Steel. . Facing Pa'.te 403 
Homestead of Thomas Powell (Steel) " " 183»' 
Homestead of I'hdiiias Powell (Steel) " " 225 

Hudson Trading witli Indians 8 

Hugh Walsh (Autograph) 381 

Indian Devil Worship 207 

James M. Gardiner (Portrait) 38S 

Jonathan Carter (Autograph) 38t 

Jonathan Fisk (Portrait) 391 

Joseph Hoflfinan (Portrait) 33i 

Law.son and Columbian Hose House, Facing Page 25ij- 

Lutheran Church 120 

Maringoman's Castle 55 

Middlehope Presbyterian Church 310 



Minnisink Monument (Steel) Facing Title Page. ' 

Moses H. Belknap (Portrait) 362 

Newhurgh Academv 341 

Newburgh in 1609. . ." Ill 

Newburgti from the North- West Facing Page 111^ 

Newburgh Patents (Map) 112 

Newburgh from the Nortli-East Facing Page 205^- 

Newl)urgli I Vom the South-East 202 

Newburgh Market 217 

Newburgh Savings Bank 236 

Newburgb Aims-House Facing Page 22I» 

Newburgh City, Seal of 420 

Odell S. Hathaway (Portrait) .-405 

Parsonage, First 128 

Patents, Map of Facing Page 27 — 

Phineas Bowman (Portrait) 390 

Plateau at Cornwall 79 

Public Stocks and Whipping Post • -i • . ■ .' 216 

Ranisdell's Store-house Facing Page 247 

Ringgold Hose House .ti Facing Page 257 1 

Ross House 208 

Rossville M. E. Church 329 

Ruins of Fort Putnam Facing Page 92-. 

Samuel Parmenter (Autograph) 410 

Scliool House, First 128 

Second Presbyterian (Uuireh 303 

Second Reformed Presbyterian Church 314 

Selah Reeve (Autograph) 376 

Steamer Baltimore 248 

St. (iforge's Epi.scopal Church 293 

Sterling .Minces 77 

Sugar-Loaf .Mountain 56 

Thomas Powell (Portrait), Steel Facing Page 353 

Torn Mountain 51 

Township of Washington (Map) ' 159 

Trinity M. E. Church Facing Page 327^ 

Univer.salist Church 334 

Union Associate Reformed Church 308 

Union Presbyterian Church Facing Page 308^ 

View from Fort Montgomery 51 

Washington's Head-quarters Facing Page 215 ^ 

Washington Engine 256 

Ward, Leonard & Co.'s Store 269 

Water Street from Colden's Gore . ~ ^ '. 199 

Weigand's Tavern (1767) 129 

Weig-iiui's Tavern (1780) 176 

Win. W. Belknap (Portrait), Steel. . . . Facing Page 360 - 

William DeGnwe (Autograph) 383 

William K. Mtiiller (Portrait) 397 



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